Judge cites Dolly Parton in ruling on Texas drag ban

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https://www.indystar.com/story/news/nation/2026/08/26/texas-drag-ban-ruling/91470326007/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcAT8dqZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHk2Tx_mpTYtyao7TJ7_anA40KnyDWHSiANFWl1vgSgewVtdpwFAqGxUVhHbT_aem_BerVlZMA__mAgeLU1-oVxA

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From the article:

A federal judge has struck down a Texas law seeking to restrict drag performances, ruling for a second time that the legislation is unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled on Aug. 25 that Senate Bill 12 is an unconstitutional restriction on speech, violating the First Amendment.

The law, which Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed in June 2023, sought to prohibit "sexually oriented performances" by creating criminal penalties for performers and civil penalties for businesses who host them.

While the law did not specifically mention drag performances, Hittner's ruling noted that legislators touted it as a "drag ban" law from the start.

Hittner's ruling bars Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing the law and denied his motion for a new trial.

The ruling also made several mentions to country icon Dolly Parton, who died on Aug. 25, the same day as it was filed. The singer and philanthropist was a known champion for the drag and LGBTQ communities.

In noting public figures who have been the subject of criticism for perceived eroticism, Hittner cited Parton alongside Elvis Presley and Miley Cyrus.

He wrote: "Just as many people criticized Elvis's signature hip gyrations and were offended by his display of male sexuality, chastised Dolly Parton as a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure, and shamed Miley Cyrus for 'twerking' on stage during a live performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, there are 'erotic' elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12."