U.S. District Judge David Hittner heard from LGBTQ+ groups, businesses and a drag performer in a hearing this week, who argued Senate Bill 12 violated their First Amendment rights.
earlier this week in Houston, a drag performer and entertainment businesses said Texas lawmakers’ effort to regulate these shows was an unconstitutional attempt to stifle their freedom of expression. Though Hittner did not issue a final order on Thursday, he found the plaintiffs’ argument compelling.
Hittner heard testimony earlier this week from LGBTQ+ groups, businesses and a performer, which were plaintiffs in one of two lawsuits against SB 12. They argued the law trampled on their First Amendment rights to perform and organize drag shows. They described drag as a healing, expressive and political form of performance art with historical connections to LGBTQ+ people.
Defending the law, attorneys with the Texas attorney general’s office said SB 12 was narrowly tailored to protect children from sexually-explicit performances. The new law did not explicitly ban drag shows, lawyers for the state said, and these performances should not be considered expressive or receive First Amendment protections. about SB 12’s passage and declared he had banned drag performances in public.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Federal judge to decide whether new Jefferson County Commission district lines are racially unfairIn five-hour hearing Monday Judge Madeline Haikala heard arguments from plaintiffs who say the commission’s current five district map packs Black voters into two districts, unfairly reducing their influence elsewhere in Jefferson County.
Read more »
Texas Drag Restrictions Blocked By Federal Judge, Who Says They’re Likely UnconstitutionalA day before the state’s new law was set to go into effect, a federal judge ruled that it probably violates the First Amendment.
Read more »
Federal judge issues temporary restraining order, says Texas law banning drag shows is “likely” unconstitutionalU.S. District Judge David Hittner heard from LGBTQ+ groups, businesses and a drag performer in a hearing this week, who argued Senate Bill 12 violated their First Amendment rights.
Read more »
Federal judge issues temporary restraining order, says Texas law banning drag shows is “likely” unconstitutionalU.S. District Judge David Hittner heard from LGBTQ+ groups, businesses and a drag performer in a hearing this week, who argued Senate Bill 12 violated their First Amendment rights.
Read more »
Federal judge says New Jersey law banning immigrant detention contract with private operator unconstitutionalThe legal challenge put Phil Murphy — a progressive who once proclaimed New Jersey a “sanctuary” state for immigrants — at odds with the Biden administration.
Read more »
Rudy Giuliani held liable by federal judge for defaming mother-and-daughter Georgia election workersThe decision moves the case toward a trial in Washington that could result in Giuliani being ordered to pay significant damages
Read more »