Country singer Reba McEntire criticized Friday a new Tennessee law that bans drag shows from spaces where children could see them.
At the beginning of March, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law a bill taking effect April 1 that will ban “adult cabaret entertainment,” including drag shows, on public property or where minors can witness it. State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a cosponsor of the bill, tweeted, “This bill gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualized performance.”
My bill, Senate Bill 3, is now headed to @GovBillLee to become law. This bill gives confidence to parents that they can take their kids to a public or private show and will not be blindsided by a sexualized performance.
— Jack Johnson (@SenJohnson) March 2, 2023
Asked by The Los Angeles Times about the bill, McEntire responded, “I wish they would spend that much time and energy and money on feeding the homeless children in those two counties.”
When asked if she was surprised that the bill was passed, she replied, “Disappointed.”
“You know your take on the drag bill is potentially alienating to some in your audience,” the Times claimed.
“Boy, why? I mean, we’ve got a real problem in this country, and to be worrying about men wanting to dress up as women? God bless ’em to wear those high heels — I feel for ’em. But let’s center our attention on something that really needs attention,” McEntire answered, then added, “I try to stay away from disagreements and confrontations.”
Someone who violates the new Tennessee law the first time may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor; subsequent offenses will be classified as a Class E felony.
In June 2021, McEntire tweeted her irritation that organizers for a Republican party fundraiser, at which South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was a guest, listed her as a “special guest.”
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“Last night, an invitation to a political fundraiser with my name attached was sent out without my knowledge or permission. I had and have no plans to attend this event and had told the event organizers as such,” she tweeted.
“Throughout my career, I have stated that I do not get involved in politics and that remains true today,” she added.
Throughout my career, I have stated that I do not get involved in politics and that remains true today.
— Reba McEntire (@reba) June 11, 2021
Representatives for Noem’s gubernatorial campaign claimed McEntire had known about the fundraiser.
“The Kristi for Governor campaign follows standard operating procedure when it comes to confirming and listing hosts for the Governor’s events,” a campaign representative stated, adding that there was “written confirmation” that McEntire had planned to come and perform.