Federal judge blocks Tennessee county from enforcing state drag ban

A federal judge blocked a Tennessee district attorney in Blount County from enforcing the state law that bans adult performances on public property or in areas that children could see.

Judge Ronnie Greer, a George W. Bush appointee for Tennessee's Eastern District, issued a temporary restraining order to stop Blount County District Attorney Ryan Desmond from enforcing the Adult Entertainment Act, which a federal judge in the Western District of Tennessee ruled unconstitutional in June. 

Greer's order Friday comes after Desmond sent a letter to the organizers of an LGBT+ event at Maryville College stating that the Western District judge's ruling did not apply in the Eastern District and that he was prepared to prosecute any potential violations of the state law.

In response to Desmond's letter, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of the group Blount Pride and drag performer Flamy Grant.

"This ruling confirms that despite continued attempts to remove LGBTQ people from public life, our First Amendment rights matter just as much as anyone else’s. Our fundamental right to exist as we are and to gather in celebration with our community is protected by the First Amendment on and off the stage," Grant said after the judge's decision.

Blount Pride was able to hold the event Saturday as planned, and said it was a "success."

A hearing on the order is scheduled for Sept. 8. The Blount County District Attorney's office has not responded to Just the News' request for comment. 

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