right moves

Kevin Bacon goes viral, and triggers the haters, with cute, drag-lovin’ video

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Kevin Bacon
Kevin Bacon (Photo: Shutterstock)

Actor Kevin Bacon has prompted a huge reaction with a video he posted, also featuring his wife Kyra Sedgwick, protesting drag bans.

In the clip, posted yesterday, the couple dance together and wear T-shirts saying, “Drag is an art, drag is a right”. The soundtrack is “Karma” by Taylor Swift.

In the accompanying caption, Bacon says, “#DragBans are bad karma. Right now, drag performers and the LGBTQIA+ community need our help. Shop the @SixDegreesofKB campaign supporting the @ACLU Drag Defense Fund or make a gift https://bit.ly/DragisArt #DragIsARight.”

Pretty innocuous, right?

Apparently not. In less than 12 hours, the tweet has had over 11k comments. Many have thanked Bacon for highlighting the issue and showing support. On TikTok, the original video has racked up over a quarter of a million likes.

Drag bans

Since the start of the year, several states have debated legislation reclassifying drag as “adult” cabaret, and banning any such performances from venues where it might be seen by children.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed such a law in February. Florida has also sent similar legislation to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis. It has already prompted one Florida Pride organization to cancel its 2023 parade, to avoid the risk of prosecution.

However, not everyone applauded Bacon. The actor shot to fame in the 1980s movie, Footloose, which was about a town where dancing was banned. Some said they wished Bacon was still banned from breaking out some moves.

Bacon, unsurprisingly was also blasted as a “groomer”. The level of hatred directed toward the video on Twitter was relentless, prompting bemusement among others.

Lizzo shows support for drag performers

Bacon was not the only celebrity to speak out against drag bans over the weekend. At her show on Friday night in Knoxville, Lizzo made plain her views on Tennessee’s recent drag-ban law. She invited a platoon of drag queens to join her on stage. The group included the likes of Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O’Hara and Vanessa Vanji.

“In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, ‘Cancel your shows in Tennessee,’ ‘Don’t go to Tennessee,’” Lizzo said during her concert. “Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?”

“Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?” added Lizzo.

Although Governor Lee signed the adult performance law in February, a federal judge temporarily blocked it in late March. They deemed the wording to be too vague.

Related:

Kevin Bacon speaks out in support of drag and praises Drag Race musical ‘Wigloose’

Another reason to love Kevin Bacon.

Lawmaker who supports Florida’s anti-LGBTQ laws attends Pride. Guess what happened.

Meet Republican Rep. Fabián Basabe.

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