American rapper and songstress Lizzo celebrated on stage with a group of drag performers in Tennessee during the week, with the star making a stand against the state's anti-drag law.
Making a defiant statement on Friday night (April 21), Lizzo, 34, put on a show for her fans at her The Special Tour in Knoxville, TN.
In the state of Tennessee, there is a drag ban, which forbids "adult cabaret entertainment" from taking place on public property. The bill became a law earlier this month.
The law and subsequent ban, which has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge in the state, also prevents the entertainers from being in locations where they could be viewed by a minor.
Standing on-stage and showing defiance to the large crowd, Lizzo strutted her stuff with a group of drag performers following her.
Joining Lizzo on-stage were a group of iconic RuPaul's Drag Race stars, including: Aquaria, Asia O'Hara, Kandy Muse and Vanessa Vanjie, as well as drag artists from the local area, according to a fan.
Speaking on-stage about performing in Knoxville, Lizzo said in reaction to the new law: "In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, 'Cancel your shows in Tennessee,' 'Don't go to Tennessee'.
"Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most? The people who need to feel this release the most?"
She went on: "Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences and celebrate fat Black women?"
Lizzo added: "What people in Tennessee are doing is giving hope, so thank you so much for standing up for your rights, protecting each other and holding the people accountable who should be protecting us.
"I hope that I can help you in any way because you have helped me so, so much, you don't even understand."
After the show, Lizzo took to her Instagram account to share a post, with her penning a caption which read: "THANK YOU TO THESE BEAUTIFUL DRAG QUEENS FOR SHOWING THEIR PRIDE IN TENNESSE."
Fans were quick to flock to Twitter to praise Lizzo, with one person writing: "Wow. Lizzo’s concert in Tennessee last night featured an entire drag performance. This comes at a time when the Tennessee legislature is attacking the LGBTQ+ community. Lizzo is not here for it and we need more people like her."
A concertgoer shared a clip and added: "Lizzo came to Knoxville and brought a drag queen parade! It was beautiful and perfect and special."
While a third person added: "Lizzo bringing an army of Drag Queens from Rupaul's Drag Race / local DQs on stage in Tennessee is iconic. She said f**k them fascist laws. A mainstream star doing this is POWERFUL. Athletes/celebs take notes! Be an accomplice against fascism."
The first-of-its-kind law in the state of Tennessee bans "adult cabaret entertainment" and is commonly referred to as a drag ban, with the description for the entertainers being: "topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators."
At the start of April a federal judge temporarily halted the state’s new law, just hours before it was due to come into action.
“If Tennessee wishes to exercise its police power in restricting speech it considers obscene, it must do so within the constraints and framework of the United States Constitution,” he wrote in a statement at the time.
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