SCOTUS rejects challenge to TN law restricting drag shows to protect minors

Republicans notched a significant win in the red state of Tennessee after the U.S. Supreme Court dropped a bombshell decision regarding controversial drag shows.

According to The Hill, the high court refused to hear a challenge to a state law that places heavy restrictions on drag shows. The law was the first of its kind in the nation when it passed.

The law was passed in 2023 by the Republican-led state legislature, and it was almost immediately challenged by forces on the left who weren't happy with having drag shows restricted.

The challenge was brought to the Supreme Court by a Tennessee theater company. It was noted that the law doesn't explicitly mention drag shows, but state Republican lawmakers confirmed that the law was enacted to restrict them.

The Hill noted:

A Tennessee court had previously deemed the law, which targets “adult-oriented performances” that take place in public or where they may be seen by minors, unconstitutional, blocking its enforcement in parts of the state.

However, that decision was later reversed by a federal appeals court in July of 2024. That court claimed that the theater company, "Friends of George," lacked the legal standing to challenge the state law.

The Supreme Court of the United States has denied a recent request from Friends of George’s to challenge a law that places new restrictions on drag performances in Tennessee. https://t.co/md5iSS8Sgh

— Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) February 25, 2025

The theater company fought back, arguing that it would be negatively impacted by the state's restrictions.

The Hill added:

Friends of George’s had argued the state’s law would negatively impact them because they produce “drag-centric performances, comedy sketches, and plays” outside of age-restricted venues. But the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the group did not risk violating the law because their performances were not “harmful to minors.”

According to state law, the "restricted" performances must also be "harmful to minors," which The Hill said Tennessee law defines as lacking "serious literary, artistic, political or scientific values" and appealing "to the prurient, shameful or morbid interests."

Friends of George has not commented since the high court rejected the challenge.

Other red states have considered passing similar laws to protect minors from witnessing drag shows that many believe are highly inappropriate for minors.

Now that it's clear the Supreme Court isn't interested in getting involved, that could happen sooner than later.

Only time will tell if other Republican attorneys general follow suit.