Texas judge strikes down drag show ban citing First Amendment concerns

A federal judge in Texas has struck down a 2023 state law restricting public drag performances, ruling that the measure violates the First Amendment and is unconstitutionally vague. U.S. District Judge David Hittner, a nominee of President Ronald Reagan, ruled that Senate Bill 12, which sought to prohibit “sexually ori

Cathal McNaughton / REUTERS A federal judge invoked the late music icon Dolly Parton in his ruling overturning Texas’s ban on drag shows. U.S. District Judge David Hittner, a Reagan appointee, struck down the 2023 state law that looked to restrict drag shows. In his ruling, Hittner said the law, known as Texas Senate

The judge said the law was so broad that it might have even been turned against Parton for her "flamboyant clothes and breast exposure."

A federal judge struck down a Texas ban on drag shows on Tuesday, ruling it was unconstitutional—and that anyone who really has that much of a problem with it just shouldn’t go. The law known as Texas Senate Bill 12, which is supported and enforced by Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton, would hav

The judge said the 2023 law was so broad it could have swept up “cheerleading, dancing, live theater” and other everyday performances.

A U.S. district court has blocked Texas from banning drag performances as unconstitutional, ruling that is a First Amendment violation.

The federal judge, who cited Dolly Parton in his ruling, found that the state law violated the First Amendment.