Judge Blocks Texas Drag Ban, Citing Dolly Parton as Illustration of Overreach
A federal judge permanently blocked Texas SB 12, the state's 2023 drag ban, from enforcement, ruling its broad language risks punishing First Amendment–protected expression. U.S. District Judge David Hittner cited Dolly Parton to show how the law could sweep in unrelated performances and suggested the simplest workaround for offended audiences is to simply “just don’t go.” The ruling continues a years-long legal saga—initially struck down, revived on appeal, and now facing another round of challenges from Texas.