As part of her nationwide tour across the United States, Hayley Kiyoko performed in Nashville on May 1 and was joined by drag queens in defiance of the state’s discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Although the legislation is currently blocked in federal court, Kiyoko said “undercover cops” advised her to keep drag queens off her stage.
The “Girls Like Girls” singer shared on social media that she had the idea to bring out two drag performers — Ivy St James and LiberTea — after seeing a drag show in the city. She said the decision caused “an emotional rollercoaster to say the least.”
In a caption of a series of teary-eyed videos and concert footage, Kiyoko wrote she was “advised by local law enforcement that having a drag performance at my all ages show could result in legal action.” She told her followers that undercover law enforcement officers at her soundcheck had warned her to not bring any drag performers and she “was shattered as you can see in the videos I recorded reacting to the situation in real time before the show started.”
“I never want to put anyone in a position to be at risk or in danger in any way,” she wrote. “But also where is the line of being silenced? How do we navigate these absurd threats and laws against our community? I find pride in making sure my concerts are safe places for ALL. How can I do that if we aren’t allowed to be ourselves, especially at a predominantly queer concert? We deserve to have a safe space to be ourselves while we navigate the evil that is threatening our own existence.”
As seen in the last few slides of her post, Kiyoko did bring the queens on stage with her and used it as an opportunity to advocate for the community. “We will not be silenced,” she wrote in the last paragraph of her caption. “We will find ways to continue to be our authentic selves, no matter what. We will not give up. No matter how hard they make it. I love you all so much.”
Back in February, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that classifies drag performances as a misdemeanor that could result in costly fines and jail time. Shortly before it would have taken effect in April, a federal judge blocked the bill.
Kyioko joins a long list of performers who have been using their stages to fight against the restrictive laws. Kelsea Ballerini shook the country music world with her performance at the Country Music Awards when she was joined by four “RuPaul’s Drag Race” queens as she sang “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too).”
Miranda Lambert also recently entered the conversation after having written and recorded the theme song for this year’s “Queer Eye.”
“I don’t know why anybody would have time for all of the hate,” she told CNN anchor Chris Wallace. “I don’t feel like there’s room in my life and in my world and in my country music community. I feel like we’re all in it together and just more than anything encouraging people to be who they are no matter what, you know.”