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

Guno צְבִי

We fight, We win, Am Yisrael Chai
Purim is the Jewish Halloween

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 .

https://forward.com/opinion/538870/...m=email&utm_campaign=afternoonedition_6332883
 
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