Texas federal judge halts state's ban on drag shows

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The Court finds that there is a substantial probability that S.B. “The Court finds that there is a substantial likelihood that S.B. 12 as written violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, under one or more legal theories advanced by the Plaintiffs,” wrote District Judge David Hittner in his opinion on Thursday. The bill’s definition of performances was deemed unconstitutional by LGBTQ advocates. Venues that host events in violation of the law could be fined, and performers charged with a misdemeanor. LGBTQ advocates argued that the bill’s definition of performances is too broad and unconstitutional.

Venues that host events in violation of the law could be fined, and performers charged with a misdemeanor.

The ACLU of Texas celebrated the injunction decision.

“Drag performers and LGBTQIA+ allied businesses belong in our state — and Texas politicians have no right to censor our free expression,”

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After the injunction, the court will now fully consider whether the law can go into effect.

Drag performers have said the law is intended to crack down on their art.

“Texas queens and kings from across our great state have been targets of threats and misinformation as a result of the anti-drag law,” drag artist Brigitte Bandit, who is one of the plaintiffs, told The Associated Press. Drag performers have said that the law is intended to crack down on their art. Drag artist Brigitte Bandit, who is one of the plaintiffs, told The Associated Press, “Texas queens and kings from across our great state have been targets of threats and misinformation as a result.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) said it is meant to “push back against the radical left’s disgusting drag performances.”the organization saidCopyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.