Maren Morris has made her position on a controversial new Tennessee bill restricting drag performance. The country star performed alongside Alexia Noelle as the Nashville drag queen at a concert Monday in support of the LGBTQ+ community, where Morris proudly spoke about introducing her young son, Hayes, to drag queens backstage. Morris and her husband, Ryan Hurd, turned three on Thursday.
“I brought my son here earlier today for the sound check…and we had to go into 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 that drag queens do. There’s wigs everywhere, and it smells Hairspray and wig glue; there’s glamour; everyone’s in a good mood,” Morris said on stage, diverse. “It’s just like the love room. And we went back to my dressing room and my son was like, ‘I need queens!'”
“Yeah,” Morris continued, “I introduced my son to some drag queens today, so Tennessee has me arrested.” The 32-year-old singer shared photos from the event on Instagram, including a clip from the announcement.
“Thank you Nashville, the gorgeous queens and the LGBTQ+ community for showing up last night,” she captioned her post. “A lot of healing happened and it won’t be forgotten.”
Earlier this month, Republican Governor Bill Lee signed a bill into law that explicitly targets drag shows in Tennessee. The provision, known as the “drag ban,” criminalizes “adult cabaret performances” that take place in public places or where children can see them. It is the first country to do so this year. Lee also banned gender-affirming health care for transgender youth.
Morris is one of the most outspoken, liberal artists in country music — and she’s never afraid to tackle hot topics. Last year, she got into a public sparring with Jason Aldean’s wife, Brittany, after the influencer made transphobic comments. In January, Morris was a guest judge RuPaul’s Drag Race where she apologized to the cast on behalf of the country music community.
“Coming from country music and its relationship with LGBTQ+ members, I just want to say I’m sorry,” she said on the reality show. “And I love you guys for making me feel like a gritty voice in country music. I just have to thank you guys so much for inspiring me. I’m going to cry! I gotta go!”
Monday’s gala also featured performances by Sheryl Crow, Hayley Williams, Hozier, and more than a dozen others who took the stage along with drag artists, as well as trans and queer singer-songwriters. Co-arranged by artists Alison Russell and Jason Isbell.
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