Judge Strikes Down Texas Ban On Drag: “Just Don’t Go”

In his ruling striking down a Texas drag ban, a federal judge had this advice for folks who are offended by such activities – “Just don’t go.”

He also noted that the legislation was so vaguely written, even the late, great Dolly Parton might have been targeted by the law.

Texas cannot enforce restrictions on some public drag shows after a federal judge again declared a 2023 law unconstitutional.

“For those who find such activities offensive, the solution is relatively simple… just don’t go,” Judge David Hittner wrote.https://t.co/gExjDkk0l1

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) August 25, 2026

More via Yahoo News:

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.

The state law would fine business owners who were found to be in violation up to $10,000 for hosting events, while performers could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in up to one year of jail time.

In his ruling, Hittner mentioned Dolly Parton, whose death was announced Tuesday, and criticized the law’s definition of banning performances that “[appeal] to the prurient interest,” citing people who would chastise Parton “as a voluptuous sex symbol because of her big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure.”

Judge Hittner pointed out the law was written so loosely it could sweep in “cheerleading, dancing, live theater,” and, he wrote, plenty of mainstream stars.

So, for years, Texas lawmakers tried to make it a crime to dress up and put on a show. A Reagan judge told them the Constitution says ‘no,’ and used Dolly Parton to explain why.

Ironically, in many tributes to our beloved Dolly, folks are remembering this iconic quote by the superstar: “If I hadn’t been a girl, I’d have been a drag queen.”

Judge strikes down Texas ban on drag shows, tells people offended by them ‘just don’t go.’ https://t.co/f4bdD23u4k

— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 26, 2026