HOUSTON — A federal judge today extended the temporary restraining order that blocks the Texas attorney general and other government officials from enforcing Texas’ drag ban, Senate Bill 12. This decision gives the court another 14 days to deliberate on a permanent injunction.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Baker Botts LLP filed the lawsuit in August on behalf of The Woodlands Pride, Abilene Pride Alliance, Extragrams LLC, 360 Queen Entertainment LLC, and drag performer Brigitte Bandit.
In court, the plaintiffs testified how S.B. 12 threatens their livelihoods, censors their freedom of expression, and vilifies an artform that has roots going back millennia. The ban would have taken effect September 1 if the temporary restraining order had not been issued two weeks ago.
The following quote can be attributed to Brian Klosterboer, attorney at the ACLU of Texas:
“Today’s decision is another much-needed reprieve that prevents S.B. 12 from irreparably harming the rights and freedoms of all Texans, especially LGBTQIA+ Texans and the plaintiffs in this case. Drag is a form of artistic expression protected under the First Amendment with roots dating back millennia.”
Access a copy of the temporary restraining order here: https://www.aclutx.org/sites/default/files/2023-09-13_the_temporary_restraining_dckt_89_0.pdf
