Tennessee: Convention Changed Panel Restrictions After Booking, Citing Drag Law Concerns, Then Later Said It Was Discretionary. Do I Have Any Legal Recourse?

Location: Tennessee

I am a drag performer who was booked as a guest for a Tennessee anime convention approximately three months before the event.

One of the panels I proposed was an educational discussion panel about drag culture and common misconceptions/stereotypes surrounding drag performers. The panel was written and intended as an all ages discussion and did not involve any performance component.

Shortly before the event, I was informed that the panel would not be permitted in an all ages setting and would instead be restricted to the convention’s adult programming track. The explanation initially provided referenced concerns about Tennessee drag related legislation.

Because the panel is discussion based rather than a performance, I asked for clarification regarding how Tennessee law would apply. I received delayed responses over a period of weeks and eventually corresponded with the convention’s attorney.

The attorney ultimately stated that:

-The panel is not prohibited.
-The convention is not claiming the panel violates Tennessee law.
-The convention is not claiming drag is unlawful.
-The panel remains scheduled.
-The decision was ultimately a discretionary programming and risk-management decision made by convention management.

My frustration is that the explanation appears to have shifted from “concerns about Tennessee law” to “management discretion.” Along with blatantly lying about what is and is not accurate according to my promotor.

Additional facts:

I was booked months in advance.

I turned down other opportunities to attend this event.
Communication regarding the change occurred relatively late in the process.

I repeatedly requested clarification and often experienced significant delays in receiving responses.

I also raised concerns regarding lack of promotion as a contracted guest.

The convention has now stated that the matter is closed and that all future communication should go through a designated logistics contact.

My questions are:

Does the fact that the explanation changed from apparent legal concerns to a discretionary programming decision have any legal significance?

If a convention substantially changes the conditions under which a panel is presented after booking a guest, is that generally something that could create contractual issues, or is it typically within the organizer’s discretion?

If a guest believes they were treated differently because the subject matter involved drag, what type of evidence would generally be necessary before speaking with an attorney about possible discrimination concerns?

Is there any reason to continue pursuing this before the event, or is this likely just a business dispute with no practical legal remedy?

I am already gathering documentation and considering speaking with counsel, but I would appreciate any general legal insight. I will share anything I have gathered personally if I can get some help. This has had me stressed for like two months straight and the event itself is next month. I’m an entertainer for work and this has truly been more headache than its worth but if I don’t fulfill this obligation I’m basically out of work for a weekend. Thank you in advance anyone willing to help ????