Tennessee town tries to ban drag shows, rally planned in response

A rally is planned in the small city of Portland next week to support a local drag show group after that city's move to shut them down.

The city of Portland, just off Interstate 65 at the Kentucky state line, passed the first reading of an ordinance amendment on adult-oriented businesses that would essentially prohibit Elite Drag Star Productions from holding drag shows.

One of Elite’s owners, Kyle Guillermo, said the ordinance is a response to a drag show that the company put on for the first time Aug. 12 at Envy Bar & Restaurant at 111 Main St. in Portland.

“Shortly after that, we received hate mail on Facebook,” said Guillermo. “People are trying to get us out of Portland.”

Guillermo said that the ordinance is trying to label them as “adult cabaret.”

“That’s not what we do,” he said. “We are drag queens, we are not taking our clothes off. We are not cabaret.”

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Drag shows are typically multiple solo performances in which drag queens — men dressed as women in elaborate costumes — lip-sync to popular songs. They have also served as a gathering point for gay culture and LGBT advocacy.

Guillermo said that Elite rents out Envy after it closes and charges a cover fee in order to pay for the performers. After the success of their Aug. 12 show, they also held one Sept. 9.

“Each show has been a major success,” he said. “They both sold out.”

At its Sept. 5 meeting, the City Board of Alderman voted unanimously to amend the combined zoning ordinance in regards to “adult oriented business” with no discussion. They did reference a larger discussion at a previous work session.

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Portland Mayor Kenneth Wilber could not be immediately reached for comment.

Chris Sanders, executive director of the Tennessee Equality Project, a statewide organization that works for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, said, “This ordinance raises First Amendment questions because of the way it limits artistic expression, equal protection questions because of the way it regulates gender, and it creates a bad climate for business through over-regulation. I think the Board of Aldermen has an opportunity to press the pause button before they invite legal trouble and national scorn."

Guillermo, who owns Elite along with Raymond Guillermo and Ronnie Carter, said they are planning a support rally for 4:30 p.m. at Portland City Hall on Monday, Sept. 18, before the board’s 6:30 p.m. meeting.

“Join Elite Productions as we take a stand against hate, discrimination and fight to be able to perform at Envy Bar & Restaurant,” states a post on Elite’s Facebook page. “Come speak out and let your voice be heard in front of city council. Show your love and support for Elite and Envy as it’s time for a change and it’s time to be heard.”

Guillermo said he wanted to stress that the rally was not a protest.

“We don’t want to protest, we just want to get our voices heard,” he said. “It’s a support rally. We are just asking people to come support us.”