(TargetLiberty.org) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas has filed a lawsuit to block the state law that would limit drag performances. In their lawsuit filed in a federal court, they argue that this law is in violation of both the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
The legislation was signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in June and it would restrict some types of drag performances in public or in areas where minors might view them. Similar laws have also been introduced in Arkansas, North Dakota, Montana, Florida, and Tennessee.
Federal court orders have so far blocked the measures in Florida and Montana. In Tennessee, the drag ban was also found to be unconstitutional in June by the court, with the state having now appealed this ruling.
The law in Texas is scheduled to go into effect on September 1, and it would completely block businesses from holding any “sexually oriented performances” in which the performer appears to be nude or appears to be engaging in prurient matters that are held where minors can see them. Those businesses that break the law could have to pay up to $10,000 per violation.
However, the performers are the ones that are going to be facing the most penalties in connection to these restrictions as they could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and have to pay a $4,000 fine while also serving a year in prison.
While drag performances are not explicitly mentioned in the law the state’s politicians have repeatedly mentioned that the law is targeting drag shows.
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