The little girl in a short skirt, tight sweater and long beaded necklace smiled as she stood on the playground for a photo that later appeared in Franklin High School’s 1977 yearbook. The black-and-white picture was paired with the caption: “Hard Luck Women .”
The subject is Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R), who is currently planning to prosecute the criminal.
A bill that amends state laws against obscenity and pornography to include certain “adult cabaret” performances passed the Tennessee House and Senate last week. Lee said someone was planning to enter.
Franklin High School via Ancestry.com
The law makes it illegal for “male or female impersonators” to perform in public or where minors can see them. A first-time offender can be charged with a misdemeanor, and subsequent offenses are considered a felony.
The yearbook photo went viral on Reddit this week after the user who posted it heard the anti-drag bill was about to become law.
“School zones are key … the law to be signed is against dragging public property. I’m sure it will be signed, but the hypocrisy needs to be pierced,” the user wrote.
“I’m sure the little kids are coming!!” Tennessee state representative Vincent Dixie (D) comments on Twitter.
Lee reacted angrily when confronted with the image at a press conference on Monday. However, he did not deny that he was in the photo.
“What a ridiculous, ridiculous question,” Lee said at a news conference. “Conflating like that for sexual entertainment in front of children, which is a very serious subject.”
Like actors when they take on different roles, drag performers can present a variety of content – not all of which is suggestive.
Tennessee’s bill comes as conservatives nationwide are increasingly focused on gender expression and sexuality that doesn’t fit traditional binaries.
Critics say the law is also so vaguely worded that it could ban drag shows and be used as a weapon against transgender people who dress according to their gender identity.