Judge temporarily blocks Texas’ ban on public drag performances
In a small win for LGBTQIA+ rights, a ban on public drag performances has been temporarily blocked in the American state of Texas.
Senate Bill 12, which restricts “sexually oriented performances” was set to go into effect on 1 September and was originally passed back in April.
Though the bill’s text does not directly refer to drag performances, local politicians have previously described how the bill would target such activity.
For instance, Texas’ Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick previously said in a statement the bill would prohibit “sexualized performances and drag shows in the presence of a minor.” READ MORE: First US drag show ban stokes fears of violence Plaintiffs including drag queens and local venues, represented by the ACLU of Texas, had launched a lawsuit against the legislation, with hopes to prevent its implementation. “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.
