Judge strikes down Texas ban on drag shows, tells people offended by them ‘just don’t go’

The federal judge, who cited Dolly Parton in his ruling, found that the state law violated the First Amendment.

A federal judge in Texas struck down a 2023 state law Tuesday that sought to restrict drag shows, ruling it was unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner, a Reagan appointee, said the measure, known as Texas Senate Bill 12, improperly restricted speech, violating the First Amendment of the Constitution. The ruling prevents state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for the Senate, from enforcing the law and denies his motion for a new trial.

In the ruling, Hittner also had advice for “those who find such activities as described in this case offensive.”

“The solution is relatively simple ... just don’t go,” he wrote.

Paxton’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday night.