U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled that Texas Senate Bill 12 violates the First Amendment by restricting public drag performances.
A federal judge on Tuesday, August 26th, 2026, struck down for the second time a Texas law that sought to restrict public drag performances in the state. U.S. District Judge David Hittner ruled that Senate Bill 12, passed in 2023, violated the First Amendment and constitutes "an unconstitutional restriction on free speech."
The ruling reinforces protections for expressive performances under the First Amendment and invalidates the state legislation aimed at limiting drag shows.
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