A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against Senate Bill 12,Safetyvalue which restricts "sexually oriented performances” and has been criticized for limiting public drag performances in Texas.
The law was set to go into effect on Friday, Sept. 1.
The law doesn't specifically mention drag shows, but local politicians have made it clear the law is intended to restrict drag performances in the state.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement the bill would prohibit "sexualized performances and drag shows in the presence of a minor."
The ACLU of Texas represented local LGBTQ groups, businesses and a performer in a lawsuit against state officials who would enforce the restrictions.
"The Texas Drag Ban is stunningly broad in scope and will chill entire genres of free expression in our state," said Brian Klosterboer, attorney at the ACLU of Texas, in a statement.
He continued, "This law flies in the face of the First Amendment. No performer should ever be thrown in jail because the government disfavors their speech, and we are asking the Court to block this affront to every Texan’s constitutional rights."
Business owners and a drag queen testified before U.S. District Judge David Hittner earlier this week.
The law would restrict the "exhibition or representation, actual or simulated, of male or female genitals in a lewd state" as well as "the exhibition of sexual gesticulations using accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics" which could restrict the use of cross-dressing in public performances, according to the bill.
These performances would be restricted from public properties or in the presence of someone under the age of 18.
This could impact touring Broadway plays, theater performances, professional cheerleading routines and drag shows.
Businesses could face a $10,000 fine for hosting such a performance, according to the law. Performers could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of $4,000.
Texas is one of six states that have passed restrictions on drag performances, including Tennessee, Montana, Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota. Several of these policies have been blocked due to federal court orders.
The law in Tennessee, which was the first state to restrict drag performances in public, was blocked and ruled unconstitutional.
2025-05-05 12:521932 view
2025-05-05 12:48731 view
2025-05-05 12:382515 view
2025-05-05 12:362283 view
2025-05-05 12:162541 view
2025-05-05 11:492042 view
One woman died after a family of three from Singapore got into a car accident in Miaoli, Taiwan on S
Apple's artificial intelligence-centric update is finally rolling out on devices.The first features
Social media users are mourning the loss of the beloved social media star Peanut the Squirrel after