ACLU Sues To Block Texas Law Against Drag Shows

The Texas Tribune reports:

LGBTQ+ Texans and advocates filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to block a new state law that criminalizes some drag shows — and other performances — if they occur in front of children.

The plaintiffs, represented by the ACLU of Texas, argue that SB 12 violates the First and 14th Amendments because the law “discriminates against the content and viewpoints of performances and imposes prior restraint on free expression.”

Attorneys who have reviewed the bill say it could end up criminalizing behavior common at everything from Pride parades to bachelorette parties. The bill classifies the use of “accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics,” accompanied with sexual gesticulations as sexual conduct.

Read the full article.

The author of the law, GOP state Sen. Bryan Hughes [photo], appeared here in April for his bill that would defund public libraries that host Drag Queen Story Hour.

In March, he appeared here for his bill to raise taxes on bars that host drag shows. A Texas lesbian bar has since been denied insurance.

Last year Hughes appeared here when his bill to force public schools to display “In God We Trust” posters went into effect.

In 2021, he appeared here for his bill banning criticism of white supremacy in history lessons.

BREAKING: We’re suing to stop Texas’ drag ban from taking effect September 1.

Drag and other forms of artistic expression are protected under the First Amendment — and we won’t let politicians get away with this cruel attempt to push LGBTQIA+ Texans out of public life.

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

Texas politicians are using hate and fear to criminalize drag and the businesses and nonprofits that support it — simply because the art form is associated with the LGBTQIA+ community.

This is offensive and wrong. Drag can take many forms for audiences of all ages.

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

The drag ban could decimate local businesses that host these performances and deter artists from even coming to our state.

It will disproportionately harm Black and Brown Texans, who already face overpolicing and hypersexualization, especially Black trans women.

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

We’ll call it like it is: The drag ban is yet another cruel attempt by state politicians to push LGBTQIA+ Texans out of public life.

But we’re not going anywhere. And neither is drag.

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

Texans have opposed the drag ban since the beginning. But state politicians refused to listen.

So we’re bringing the stories of LGBTQIA+ Texans — from Pride organizers to small business owners to drag artists — to the courtroom.

Gov. Abbott: We’ll meet you in court.

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

Our full statement: https://t.co/PEWV98k9Xr

— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) August 3, 2023

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