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Judge strikes down Texas ban on drag shows, tells people offended by them ‘just don’t go’
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge in Texas ruled Texas Senate Bill 12, a 2023 law restricting drag shows, unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment's free speech protections.
- U.S. District Judge David Hittner blocked enforcement of the law and denied Attorney General Ken Paxton's request for a new trial, emphasizing that those offended by drag shows can simply choose not to attend.
- The law would have imposed fines up to $10,000 on business owners and misdemeanor charges on performers, but was struck down for being overly broad, vague, and potentially criminalizing common activities like cheerleading and theater.
- Hittner referenced Dolly Parton in his ruling to illustrate the law's flawed definition of banned performances and highlighted that many popular performances contain "erotic" elements that could be unfairly penalized.
- Drag performer Brigitte Bandit, a plaintiff in the case who impersonates Parton, celebrated the decision and plans to perform in Parton's honor, underscoring drag as a form of free speech.
