Federal judge temporarily blocks Montana’s archaic anti-drag ban
In a small win for LGBTQ+ rights, a federal judge has temporarily stopped Montana’s anti-drag ban. On 22 May, Republican governor Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 359 into law, which banned drag performers from reading to children in public schools and libraries.
Like similar laws in Tennessee and Florida, the harmful legislation also targeted drag shows by banning “sexually oriented shows” or obscene performances on public property where children may be present.
On 6 July, a trans woman, a teacher, and the owners of a local bookstore filed a lawsuit against the state of Montana, per AP News.
In the filing, the plaintiffs described HB359 as a “breathtakingly ambiguous and overbroad bill, motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus.” They also argued that the bill violates their free speech and equal rights protections.
