Dear [Your Elected Official],

<p>I urge you to vote NO on HB884 on the House floor on Tuesday. </p> <p>Making this bill the first that the House considers in 2026 sends the wrong message about your priorities and it does not fit with the priorities of the people of Tennessee.</p> <p>This is a vague, far-reaching bill. In subcommittee and committee discussion, it has not been clear just what exactly this bill applies to. </p> <p>Questions arose in those committees about whether the bill might apply to some of the actions at professional wrestling events. That presents dangers to performers and venues because they do not have certainty about how to comply. They should not have to risk arrest or other penalties because of a vague law.  If it is used to apply to drag performance it is important to know that drag is a long-standing artform and not inherently “adult-oriented entertainment.” It is a protected form expression under the First Amendment and state governments should not attempt to restrict the guarantees of the Bill of Rights. The issue has been evolving in the courts and the Legislature should let those developments proceed before acting in haste.</p> <p>Increasing the number of venues that are classified as adult-oriented establishments creates burdens of restrictive regulation for more venues/businesses and it creates more burdens for city and county governments with respect to enforcement. Mistakes at the local level in enforcing this vague bill will compromise it. This proposal is a risky, burdensome, and unnecessary intrusion into First Amendment rights.</p> <p>Thank you for considering my views.</p> <p> </p>