Madonna adds Nashville tour date to protest Tennessee’s anti-drag and anti-trans laws

Madonna has added a Nashville concert to her upcoming tour in protest of Tennessee’s recently passed anti-drag and anti-trans laws.

A press release announcing eight newly added stops on the iconic pop star’s 2023 Celebration Tour spotlighted the December 23 show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Madonna specifically called out anti-LGBTQ+ bills that Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed into law earlier this month.

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“The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane, it’s creating an unsafe environment,” Madonna said in a statement. “It makes America a dangerous place for our most vulnerable citizens, especially trans women of color. Also, these so-called laws to protect our children are unfounded and pathetic. Anyone with half a brain knows not to f–k with a drag queen. Bob and I will see you from the stage in Nashville where we will celebrate the beauty that is the queer community.”

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RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight winner and We’re Here star Bob the Drag Queen will open for the singer on all dates of the Celebration Tour. Additionally, the March 27 release notes that a portion of the proceeds from the Nashville concert will go to organizations advocating for transgender rights.

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Earlier this month, Tennessee became the first state to pass a law restricting drag performances. The law bans “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest” from appearing “on public property” or “in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult.” The new law will go into effect later this year.

Lee also recently signed a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors, making Tennessee the fourth state to pass such legislation.

Madonna announced her upcoming greatest hits tour in January with a promo video riffing on an infamous scene from her 1991 documentary Truth or Dare. The North American leg of the tour is set to kick off this summer in Vancouver with a European leg to follow before returning to the U.S. in December.