(BrightPress.org) – The controversial Texas law banning drag performances in public was struck down by a federal judge on Tuesday, September 26th. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) had signed it into law back in June.
U.S. District Judge David Hitter, appointed by President Ronald Reagan (R), originally issued a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of Senate Bill 12.
In his final decision, he wrote that the impact on free expression would be “chilling” and that any burden these performances bring isn’t sufficient to justify violating the Constitution. He added that disliking a performance or art form doesn’t justify censorship and that it was no different than attempts to censor music lyrics or comedians.
LGBTQ alphabet activists hailed the ruling as a positive step for members of their community. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed the suit in Texas and cheered the ruling on X (Twitter). They said that there was still work to be done, but that they were celebrating this achievement.
A drag performer from Texas, Brigitte Bandit, who is also a plaintiff in the suit, said he was “relieved and grateful” after hearing the ruling. He called attempts to censor the performances in public venues where children could see their bawdy performances hateful and harmful. He commented that the ruling reminds lawmakers that “queer Texans belong.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued comments via a spokesman indicating his intention to appeal the ruling and pursue the issue in a higher court. Paxton withstood a Democrat-led initiative to impeach him earlier in September.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) suggested that there may be more legislation coming down the line from the Texas legislature to limit or ban drag performances in front of children. He wrote that the story wasn’t over on X (formerly Twitter) and that their intent was to protect young children from witnessing adult performances in their state.
Republican-led attempts to limit or ban drag performances in front of kids have been occurring across the country from Montana to Texas to Tennessee. Radical leftists have argued that the adult material is a part of their culture and they have a right to expose their children to it. Conservatives argue the performances are lewd and inappropriate for children and likely violate established laws.
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