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Texas can enforce drag show ban; court suggests they don’t believe all drag shows would violate law
- The three-judge 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled Texas may enforce its 2023 law limiting some public drag shows, finding most plaintiffs lacked proof of sexually oriented acts.
- Senate Bill 12 prohibits suggestive dancing and certain prosthetics in public or in front of children, with some Republican lawmakers signaling drag shows were the law's target.
- Venue owner testimony described performers sitting on patrons' laps wearing thongs and inviting spanking, while a drag production company described a pulsating breastplate act deemed arguably sexually explicit by the panel.
- The ruling immediately allows Texas to fine business owners $10,000 and charge violators with a Class A misdemeanor, while Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the decision and the plaintiffs and the ACLU of Texas vowed to keep fighting.
- The appeals panel concluded the plaintiffs lacked standing as most failed to prove intent for a 'sexually oriented performance,' while Judge James Dennis dissented, warning it risks First Amendment protections for drag.
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In a win for children, appeals court says Texas can enforce drag show ban · American Wire News
A federal appeals court ruled on Thursday that Texas can enforce an ostensible drag show ban bill that was signed into law two years ago but later halted by a lower court. Senate Bill 12, in fact, prohibits all public performers “from dancing suggestively or wearing certain prosthetics [like fake boobs or a fake penis] on public property or in front of children,” according to The Texas Tribune. The law includes a $10,000 fine for business owners…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources18
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
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