The Grammy-winner, 34, also shared a powerful message about the anti-drag legislation that’s currently sweeping the US.
Last month, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee – a Republican – signed legislation that essentially attempts to criminalise drag performances in the state.
The ban has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge, however, is only one example of Republican lawmakers trying to clamp down on drag performances in public spaces across the US.
While belting out hits at the Thompson-Boling Arena ahead of the weekend, Lizzo, real name Melissa Viviane Jefferson, was joined onstage by RuPaul’s Drag Race alums and delivered a powerful message to the thousands of people in attendance.
Lizzo began: ‘In light of recent and tragic events, I was told by people on the internet, “Cancel your shows in Tennessee, don’t go to Tennessee”.’
According to the Mirror, she added: ‘Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?
‘Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?’
According to the Tennessean newspaper, Lee’s proposed bill prohibits ‘adult cabaret performances in public and in front of children’.
Included under the ‘cabaret’ umbrella are ‘topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators’.
The bill’s critics have pointed out that it largely targets trans and gender non-conforming people.
Late last month, a federal judge put a temporary block on the strict limits mere hours before they came into effect.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker sided with a lawsuit that claimed the statute violated the First Amendment and said Tennessee had failed to make a compelling argument as to why the new law was needed.
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