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Behind the Aegis

(53,823 posts)
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:24 PM Mar 2023

Tennessee's new anti-drag laws would make Purim celebrations illegal

This Purim as every Purim, Jews around the world gathered in costumes and masks to recite and parody the story of Esther. The Purim spiel is very much the original Drag Story Hour, where cross-dressing as Esther, Vashti, Mordecai or Haman is a favorite part of the celebration for adults and children alike. Great rabbinic minds throughout the ages have defined this practice not as a biblical transgression but as an integral part of the holiday.

Last week, the great minds of the Tennessee legislature took steps to outlaw this Jewish cultural tradition.

A bill signed into law there makes it illegal to stage “adult cabaret” anywhere a child might encounter it. Like, for example, at any Jewish community center Purim spiel or carnival where some might choose to portray characters of a different gender and, especially, at The Vashti Ball, New York’s largest queer Purim party, which features drag and welcomes children and teens in a non-alcoholic section.

Time magazine says 11 more states are poised to follow Tennessee’s lead by the end of the year. They reflect the growing right-wing movement that has staged protests, often violent, outside Drag Queen Story Hour events, fueled in part by conservative pundits including Ben Shapiro.

more...

Today is the 2nd day of Purim.

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Tennessee's new anti-drag laws would make Purim celebrations illegal (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Mar 2023 OP
I had no idea dsc Mar 2023 #1
Take the law to court and block it as... Grins Mar 2023 #2
It's like "Christian"-sponsored laws, or at least restrictions, on dancing. Aristus Mar 2023 #3
Halloween, too. And consider their horror when a grown man dressed as a Furry hands out candy eggs Hekate Mar 2023 #4
Go ahead... religious freedom... Karadeniz Mar 2023 #5

dsc

(52,129 posts)
1. I had no idea
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:29 PM
Mar 2023

I had a Jewish great uncle but to say he was non observant is an understatement. Sadly for TN this will be considered a feature not a bug.

Grins

(7,128 posts)
2. Take the law to court and block it as...
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:43 PM
Mar 2023

…blocking one’s “deeply held religious beliefs.”

It works for the crackpot Evangelical “Christians.”

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
3. It's like "Christian"-sponsored laws, or at least restrictions, on dancing.
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:47 PM
Mar 2023

They ignore the fact that Jesus danced all the time, as dance is an important part of Jewish worship.

I smell some anti-Semitism...

Hekate

(90,189 posts)
4. Halloween, too. And consider their horror when a grown man dressed as a Furry hands out candy eggs
Tue Mar 7, 2023, 05:50 PM
Mar 2023

…at Easter.

By the way, Happy Purim. 🎉

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