Maren Morris recently defended bringing her young son to family-friendly drag shows in an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. She shared that she attended a benefit at Bridgestone where the drag ban in Tennessee was being protested, and it was an all-ages show that was entirely family-friendly. She responded to a homophobic comment on social media by highlighting that the argument about exposure to children is not valid, as drag has been a centuries-long performance art form with examples of similar attire and theatrics in other aspects of society.
Morris also performed at the Love Rising concert in Bridgestone last year, which was a benefit show for the LGBTQ+ community to combat anti-trans legislation in Tennessee. She brought her son Hayes, 3, to the event and introduced him to some of the drag performers. At the time, the state had passed a bill restricting adult cabaret performances in the presence of children, which has since been overturned. Morris was one of the artists who performed at the concert, along with Hozier, to support the LGBTQ+ community.
During her performance at the Love Rising concert, Morris shared with the crowd that she had introduced her son to some drag queens. Despite the restrictive bill in Tennessee at the time, Morris defiantly stated, “So, Tennessee, f–king arrest me.” She emphasized the importance of normalizing drag and demonstrating that it is simply an expression of artistry. Morris explained that her son enjoys watching her get ready in the makeup chair and is fascinated by the colors, showing that attending a drag show was harmless and educational for him.
The drag ban in Tennessee that was being protested at the benefit show had restricted adult cabaret performances in public or in the presence of children, as well as within a certain distance from schools, parks, and places of worship. Morris recounted how she interacted with the drag performers during her performance at the concert, with one of them even joining her on stage during her song “The Middle.” She emphasized the positive experience of introducing her son to the drag performers and how it helped normalize the art form for him.
Morris used her platform to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and defend the inclusion of drag shows as family-friendly events. She highlighted the historical context of drag as a long-standing form of performance art and dismissed arguments against exposing children to drag. By bringing her son to a drag show and publicly discussing her experiences, Morris aimed to support the LGBTQ+ community and promote acceptance and understanding of different forms of expression and artistry. Her actions and words demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and breaking down stereotypes and prejudices.
