LGBTQ+ advocates sue to block Texas’ new law that could criminalize some drag performances

  • 📰 TexasTribune
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 41 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 20%
  • Publisher: 53%

Law Law Headlines News

Law Law Latest News,Law Law Headlines

LGBTQ+ Texans and advocates are suing the state over Senate Bill 12, which criminalizes performers that put on sexually explicit shows in front of children. They claim the law is so broad and vague that it criminalizes constitutionally protected expression.

criminalizes performers that put on sexually explicit shows in front of children as well as any businesses that host those shows.The complaint argues that SB 12’s language is overly broad, allowing for too much discretion on the parts of police, prosecutors and municipalities to decide what does or does not count as illegal.

Under the law, business owners would face a $10,000 fine for hosting sexually explicit performances in which someone is nude or appeals to the “prurient interest in sex.” Performers caught violating the proposed restriction could be slapped with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

The bill classifies the use of “accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics,” accompanied with sexual gesticulations as sexual conduct. “Is me wearing a padded bra going to be [considered] enhancing sexual features?” Bandit asked lawmakers earlier this year. “It’s still really vague but it’s still geared to try to target drag performance, which is what this bill has been trying to do this entire time, right?”

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 441. in LAW

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Texas AG Ken Paxton asks Senate to dismiss articles of impeachmentTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the Senate to dismiss the articles of impeachment he faces in his upcoming trial. Katie Naranjo and Matt Mackowiak join FOX 7 Austin's Mike Warren to discuss.
Source: fox7austin - 🏆 594. / 51 Read more »

University of North Texas dissolves DEI offices over new Texas lawThe University of North Texas became one of the first public universities in the state to publicly announce its plans to dissolve its diversity, equity and inclusion offices.
Source: FOX4 - 🏆 289. / 63 Read more »