Sheryl Crow, Maren Morris, Jason Isbell, and other stars performed at a concert in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena Monday to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Several concertgoers say it's a special night about spreading love, support, and community through music.
At a time when state lawmakers are passing new regulations for members of the LGBTQ+ community, Lio Gilliland and her friends believe attending Monday night’s Love Rising event is a way to offer a little support.
I always thought that music was very meaningful, and you can spread a lot of joy and positivity through it," Gilliland said. "I think that listening to the music tonight will bring out some positivity.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Tennessee Equality Project, Inclusion Tennessee, OutMemphis and the Tennessee Pride Chamber.
A report states that since 2015, Tennessee has enacted more anti-LGBTIQ laws than any other state in the country, with the most recent including restricting on drag performances on public property or at a location where children may be present.
“I believe that trans people, trans teenagers and kids should have rights to make decisions about how they want to live their life," concertgoer Lauren Haygood said. "It is not up to the government."
Others say they support the laws restricting drag shows because they say children should not be exposed to this.
“They don’t even understand what they are and so seeing this and further confusing their brains and now you’re just seeing, 'Oh suddenly it’s a boy dressed as a girl or it’s a boy in love with another boy' and they’re like what is this?” Bo Dittle says.
Other people are just asking for support.
“When 9/11 happened it didn’t matter who you were or what you were or anything we all helped each other and I think that’s what we need to do today,” Joseph Gillinger emphasized.
The Looking Out Foundation will support the event by accepting donations and matching contributions received up to a maximum of $100,000.
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