Madonna slams Tennessee drag law — tour date benefits transgender rights

Madonna announces tour stop with proceeds going to trans rights groups

Madonna — and a drag queen — are bringing the “Celebration Tour” to Nashville this winter amid Tennessee’s new legislation against drag performers.

The 64-year-old “Express Yourself” icon announced eight additional tour dates on Monday, one of which is in Music City on Dec. 22, where ticket proceeds will go toward transgender organizations.

Joining her onstage will be “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 8 winner Bob the Drag Queen — but it’s uncertain whether the popular artist would face repercussions for performing onstage for a crowd that could potentially include fans who are not adults.

“The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it’s creating an unsafe environment; making America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color,” Madge wrote on Instagram regarding the numerous laws popping up in legislatures across the country. 

“Also, these so-called laws to protect. our children are unfounded and pathetic. Anyone with half a brain knows not to f–k with a drag queen,” she continued.

“Bob [The Drag Queen] and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the Queer community!”

The Tennessee legislature recently passed a law regarding “adult cabaret performance” — which now includes “male or female impersonators” — that states that “it is an offense for a person to engage in an adult cabaret performance … In a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.”

A first offense would be considered a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail.

Additional offenses would be felonies that could bring six months in jail.


Madonna on tour in Taipei, Taiwan, in February 2016.
Visual China Group via Getty Images

Bob the Drag Queen
Bob the Drag Queen will join Madonna on her upcoming tour.
Logo/”RuPaul’s Drag Race”

Bob — whose other professional name is Caldwell Tidicue — was previously announced as Madonna’s opening act for the tour. 

The other newly-added stops include Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

The Post has reached out to Bob the Drag Queen for comment.

RuPaul himself recently denounced the flurry of bills targeting drag entertainers and health care for transgender youth.

“We know that bullies are incompetent at solving real issues. They look for easy targets so they can give the impression of being effective. They think our love, our light, our laughter, and our joy are signs of weakness, but they’re wrong, because that is our strength,” he said in a video message, posted to Instagram on March 8, urging fans to vote in elections. “Drag queens are the Marines of the queer movement. Don’t get it twisted and don’t be distracted.”

“Express Yourself” singer Madonna — whose new tour kicks off in Vancouver on July 15 — has been a longtime supporter of gay and trans individuals.

In the 1980s, she was among the first high-profile activists during HIV and AIDS epidemic, going on to donate and raise money for AIDS research throughout her career.

In 2019, Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, stated that Madonna “always has and always will be the LGBTQ community’s greatest ally.”


Madonna performs during her "Rebel Heart" tour at Bridgestone Arena on January 18, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Madonna performs during her “Rebel Heart” tour at Bridgestone Arena on January 18, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Getty Images

Madonna "Rebel Heart" tour
“The Celebration Tour” starts in July in Vancouver.
Visual China Group via Getty Images

But recently, Madonna’s nearly unrecognizable looks and bizarre behavior on social media have been making headlines.

Earlier this month, she shared a bizarre kissing pic with her new boyfriend, boxer Josh Popper, 29.

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