Both Actors' Equity, And Muslim Con. Law Groups File, As Amici -- In The Anti-Drag Case On Appeal In Sixth Cir., Tonight.

Two more amicus briefs were filed today, to encourage the Sixth Circuit to affirm the trial court in Memphis, in permanently striking the Tennessee version of the anti-drag law enacted this past March. [So this is a status update, while we await an argument date, there.]

Here is one -- the Muslim con. law brief, and here is the actors' union brief, and a bit:

. . .Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), a labor organization that represents live theatrical actors and stage managers, is devoted to protecting live theatre as an essential component of a thriving civil society and the basis of its members’ livelihoods. Since 1913, Equity has fought to win its members a dignified workplace at the theatre, from pay guarantees and pension and welfare benefits to the rules governing auditions.

With more than 51,000 members across the nation, Equity is among the oldest and largest labor unions in the performing arts in America. Broadway tours of America’s favorite musicals come to Tennessee each year, and approximately 380 Equity members reside in Tennessee, where they can perform in fifteen Equity-affiliated theatres. Preserving the First Amendment right to perform in uncensored, controversial works of art in the public sphere is essential to Equity’s mission. It is in defense of this freedom, and for the reasons set out in this brief, that Equity now urges this Court to affirm the ruling of the district court. . . .

This may mean that no members of the union will be willing to perform in Tennessee for so long as, or if, the law takes effect. We shall see. That would mean no travelling company would visit Nashville, to perform "Wicked", "The Lion King" or "Hamilton". That would be an immeasurable loss for all the good people of Tennessee. Damn. Do read both -- they are well-argued.

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