Nashville's Bridgestone Arena came alive with love and unity for the Love Rising benefit concert in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The benefit concert included a lineup of some of the most vocal allies as well as members of the community: Maren Morris, Hayley Williams, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Allison Russel, Yola, Jake Wesley Rogers, Brittany Howard, Hozier and more.
According to Variety, the concert was to protest against the recent state legislation that will affect the lives of cross-dressing performers, trans youth, as well as same-sex marriage.
To be specific, it's Senate Bill 1/House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 3/House Bill 9, that bans drag shows in the presence of minors as well as transgender procedures for minors.
The Queen
One of the artists who were warmly welcomed in the arena was Morris, who recently came head-to-head with Brittany Aldean, wife of country singer Jason Aldean, who shared her problematic opinions about gender identity.
"I brought my son here earlier today for soundcheck, and he's turning 3 this week, and we got to go in the room where all the queens were getting ready and doing their makeup.
"And he freaked out when he went in there because it's just magic what drag queens do. There's wigs everywhere, and the smell of hairspray and wig glue; there's glitter; everyone's in a good mood.
It's just like a room of love. And we went back to my dressing room and my son is like, 'I need the queens!' I'm like, uh, you're looking at her?"
"Yes, I introduced my son to some drag queens today," Morris announced. "So Tennessee, f***king arrest me"
'Drag is not a Crime'
Drag artist Asia O'Hara was also in attendance that night, as they had been emceeing.
"Drag is not a crime," O'Hara declared. "We are here tonight to say one thing and one thing only: Enough is enough."
Another drag artist came forward and spoke up about the unfair treatment the LGBTQIA+ community has received time and time again.
"I think it comes down to our LGBTQIA+ communities are not being afford the same protections as other groups," said Veronika Electronika. "If you think this stops with legislation against the trans community and the drag community, wake up!"
These sentiments were echoed by Isbell who said, "SB3/HB9 and SB1/HB1 are clearly targeted attacks on Tennesseans who haven't done anything wrong.
"These bills add up to an attempt to eradicate a valuable part of our community and force good people to live in fear. We can't in good conscience just stand by and let that happen."
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