Lesbian Jesus Hayley Kiyoko is currently out on tour and bringing talented drag performers on stage with her — but that almost didn’t happen at her recent Nashville, Tennessee concert when she was threatened with legal action.
After the state’s Republican governor Bill Lee signed a bill banning drag from public property and venues accessible to minors, queer performers are starting to see the law being upheld.
Kiyoko made the emotional post on Instagram yesterday, nearly crying as she revealed that an undercover cop had been at her soundcheck who told her that because her concert is all ages, she is banned from having drag performers at it.
“This is f*cked up. This is so f*cked,” she said in the video. “And I’m so sorry to my community and I’m just devastated, this is just not right, it’s not okay. And my heart just goes out to everyone navigating this.”
“I never want to put anyone in a position to be at risk or in danger in any way. But also where is the line of being silenced? How do we navigate these absurd threats and laws against our community,” she wrote. “I find pride in making sure my concerts are safe places for ALL. How can I do that if we aren’t allowed to be ourselves, especially at a predominantly queer concert? We deserve to have a safe space to be ourselves while we navigate the evil that is threatening our own existence.”
Kiyoko said that when the queens, LiberTea and Ivy St. James, arrived to the concert, she let them know what she had been told, but “they showed no fear and said they wanted to continue with the show and come out on stage.”
“We will not be silenced. We will find ways to continue to be our authentic selves, no matter what. We will not give up,” Kiyoko wrote. “No matter how hard they make it. I love you all so much.”
Thank you to Kiyoko and these brave drag queens for standing up for what’s right and bravely showing people of all ages the importance of being and loving your authentic self.
