Tennessee House passes bills banning public drag shows, trans surgeries for minors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TND) — Two high-profile bills banning drag shows in the presence of minors and transgender procedures for minors were passed by the Tennessee House Thursday.

House Bill 1 and House Bill 9 were both approved Thursday during the Tennessee House's floor session. Their companion bills, Senate Bill 1 and 3, both already passed.

The legislation will now return to the Senate for a procedural vote before landing on the desk of Gov. Bill Lee for full approval.

HB1/SB1 relates to transgender hormone treatments and surgeries for minors. It completely prohibits anyone from providing those treatments to a minor.

HB9/SB3 relates to "adult cabaret performances." If signed by the governor, the law would make it a misdemeanor first-time offense and a felony second offense to hold a drag show on public property or in a location where the performance could be viewed by a minor.

HB1 passed the House on a 77-16 vote, while HB9 passed on a 74-19 vote.

Both of the Senate companion bills that were already passed did so along partisan lines, with 26 Republican members voting in favor of the two bills and six Democrats voting against them.

"No matter what radicals say, I am proud to be a relentless defender of Tennessee kids," Tennessee Republican state Sen. Jack Johnson, who introduced the Senate version of HB1, said this week. "The passing of my bill in the Tennessee Senate is a huge accomplishment in the fight to keep our kids safe. As a dad, you can be certain I’ll continue my fight to safeguard our Tennessee kids."

Those around the state in opposition to the proposed laws have been protesting against the passage of these two bills, including in front of the state capitol.

Hundreds of protesters reportedly gathered outside the Tennessee capitol building on Valentines Day for the "Have a Heart Tennessee Rally."