Maren Morris is opposing Tennessee’s contentious drag performance legislation.
The country singer said: “I introduced my son to some drag queens tonight.” He was singing at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Monday night for “Love Rising,” an all-star benefit concert for LGBTQ causes. Hence, (expletive) arrest me in Tennessee.
Together with drag performers, transgender, and gay singer-songwriters, Love Rising featured performances from Grammy-winning musicians like Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Hayley Williams, and Brittany Howard.
He is developing here as a Nashvillian, and Morris stated of her kid, “I just want to leave this world for him a little bit better than the one we’re in right now.” And I believe that nights like this one contribute to that.
The effort continued the following night with a second performance called We Will Always Be, which included a Black Opry and LGBTQ artists showcase.
Local advocacy organisations like the Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, OUT Memphis, and the Tennessee Pride Chamber benefited from the show’s ticket sales. The late Nashville singer-songwriter John Prine’s family and Grammy-winning Brandi Carlile’s foundation matched donations.
Morris’ most recent remarks follow the governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, who recently gave his seal of approval to a bill that limits drag shows on public land and was passed earlier this month. The text forbids “adult-oriented” entertainment that is bad for kids, including performances by “male and female impersonators.”
Morris sang the songs “Find It” and “The Middle,” but she let Nashville drag queen Alexia Noelle Paris steal the show with her handstands and splits.
The “The Bones” singer also shared a reflection on the event on Instagram. She wrote, “Love came up.” Thank you to the LGBTQ+ community, Nashville, and the lovely Queens for attending last night. I want to express my sincere gratitude to @allisonrussellmusic, @aharnell, and @nashvillehk for doing the unimaginable at Bridgestone. There was a great deal of healing, and it won’t be forgotten.
Morris has already made outspoken remarks about LGBTQ rights.
The country singer appeared as a Season 15 guest judge on a January episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” where he apologised for how country music treats LGBTQ community members and shared a touching moment with the contestants about the tumultuous relationship between the country music industry and the LGBTQ community.