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The federal judge, who cited Dolly Parton in his ruling, found that the state law violated the First Amendment.

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[-] GolfFoxtrotLima@sh.itjust.works 4 points 8 hours ago
[-] Ravenheart@lemmy.zip 29 points 18 hours ago

Republicans scream "freedom" louder than anyone, but they prove consistently that it's just a slogan to them. Texas has outlawed gambling, marijuana, reproductive healthcare, gay marriage, and effectively outlawed porn. And they're all up in the business of trans and gay folks. And they shove their religion down your throat every chance they get. I don't think they understand the meaning of freedom.

[-] Jspelts@lemmy.world 15 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

I always found drag to be weird and "not my bag, baby!". But what's even weirder is a corrupt politician thinking he can tell citizens what they can wear, how much (or if any) makeup they can use, or who they can sleep with.

But hey, you can shoot people through closed doors in other states and use Texas as your escape route to Mexico as a fugitive -- Abbott won't extradite criminals so long as your heinous crime was committed in a blue state. Extraditions only happen for members of certain political parties...

[-] idealpink@feddit.nu 1 points 11 hours ago

The freedom to be offended doesn’t grant you more or less than that. So that seems fair

[-] wallabra@lemmy.eco.br 5 points 16 hours ago

Gigachad response

[-] UltraMagnus0001@lemmy.world 13 points 22 hours ago* (last edited 22 hours ago)

In 2015, Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges relating to activities before taking office;[3] he pleaded not guilty. After Paxton fulfilled a pretrial agreement for restitution to the victims, ethics training, and community service, the charges were dismissed in 2025. In May 2023, Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives by a vote of 121–23, leading to his suspension.[4] The articles of impeachment included allegations that Paxton gave preferential treatment to a political donor who bribed him, misapplied public resources and made false statements against whistleblowers, obstructed justice in the securities fraud trial against him, and made false statements regarding his financial interests.[5][6][7] In September 2023, the Texas Senate voted 16–14 to acquit Paxton of all articles of impeachment, ending his suspension from office.[8][9]

On July 28, 2015, a state grand jury indicted Paxton on three criminal charges:[271] two counts of securities fraud (a first-degree felony) and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators (a third-degree felony).[272][273] Paxton's indictment marked the first such criminal indictment of a Texas attorney general in thirty-two years since Texas attorney general Jim Mattox was indicted for bribery in 1983.[274] The complainants in the case are Joel Hochberg, a Florida businessman, and Byron Cook, a Republican and former member of the Texas House of Representatives.[275][276] Paxton and Cook were former friends and roommates while serving together in the Texas House.[276] Three special prosecutors were trying the state's case.[277]

There's even more on Wikipedia. What a fucking crook

-Wikipedia

[-] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 7 points 19 hours ago

Sounds like a republican presidential candidate.

[-] Rcklsabndn@sh.itjust.works 6 points 19 hours ago

Fucking good.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 6 points 19 hours ago

Free speech motherfuckers! It's a double edged sword, but by fuck does it have both edges

[-] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 5 points 19 hours ago

Does this only apply to Texas, because Ohio has a similar thing the are doing “for the children”

[-] boaratio@lemmy.world 4 points 19 hours ago

Free speech much?

[-] SwissArmyKazoo@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Reminds me of that one South Park episode.

"If you don't like America you can get out."

[-] DMCMNFIBFFF@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

Leeja and Vaush apparently have.

The Great American Exit: From Living in Cars to Leaving the U.S.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDZVXoT2yNk

12:48

one apparently left and renounce his American citizenship in 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/@nomadcapitalist/videos

Trey Parker and Matt Stone appeared to be fans of Dubya Bush, whose ineptitude made Trump's election in 2016 more possible.

[-] arc99@lemmy.world 6 points 22 hours ago

It's amazing that anybody would waste time trying to ban this or think a ban could withstand the inevitable challenge.

[-] notabot@piefed.social 3 points 20 hours ago

Got to be seen to be doing something about the terrible *checks notes* drag shows?

[-] betanumerus@lemmy.ca 1 points 15 hours ago

Rich conservatives have so much time on their hands they made a hobby out of being a nuisance to others.

[-] BetaBlake@lemmy.world 40 points 1 day ago

I've never experienced a drag show against my will.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 5 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago)

I have, but so what. I may not have always liked it, but it's really no different from sitting down at a bar and about an hour in a band comes in to do live music that you aren't there for and it's ruining your ability to have a conversation (also has happened to me). You just decide to roll with it or go somewhere else. It's some real whiny loser shit to try to ban people from engaging in art just because you dislike it.

And yeah, drag shows starting at bars I'm already at is not uncommon because I typically stick to gay bars

[-] Crackhappy@lemmy.world 4 points 19 hours ago

Fun story. My first wife wanted to dress me in drag, as at the time I was an absolute twink and she thought I would look amazing. So we did that. And I did look good. Although I'm already tall (194 cm) and was wearing 4 inch heels so I then became very tall. Anyway we went to a drag show and the performers dragged me up on stage and tried to get me to sing we are family with them. I did, although I can't hold a tune for shit. It was a ton of fun, but I've never done it again.

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[-] ironpangolin29@lemmy.ca 24 points 1 day ago

I've come to the conclusion that the people who are pushing for this type of legislation or rules have a deep seated homoerotic side to them.

[-] village604@adultswim.fan 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

There's a reason Grindr crashes around Republican conventions.

Also, Trump and Giuliani did drag together before.

[-] DMCMNFIBFFF@lemmy.world 1 points 16 hours ago

Yeeaaaayyyyyy!!!

[-] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 176 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

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.”

“There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12,” he wrote.

One of the plaintiffs in the case, a drag queen who performs under the name Brigitte Bandit, impersonates Parton in her performances. Bandit celebrated the ruling on social media Tuesday, posting a screenshot of the decision and captioning it, “Drag is free speech, bitch.” She announced she would also perform as Parton, who gave her a rhinestone guitar as a gift in 2023, at an Austin bar Saturday in her honor.

Even from the grave, Dolly is making the world a better place.

[-] SlurpingPus@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances

Both the US and UK armies set up drag shows with their soldiers during WW2.

[-] OwOarchist@pawb.social 42 points 1 day ago

“There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances that could be subject to both civil and criminal penalties under S.B. 12,” he wrote.

Yeah, lol. That's the real heart of the matter. If you're going to ban such public performances, then you need to ban ALL public performances that have even the slightest hint of it. And good luck with that.

[-] Seleni@lemmy.world 3 points 16 hours ago

Since that is precisely their end goal, I would rather not wish them good luck with it.

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[-] WakeUpSmashPots@lemmy.today 75 points 1 day ago

The "freedom" crowd always seems to be quite upset at other people's freedoms... 🤦

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[-] CalemitousVariantK@lemmy.world 24 points 1 day ago

Just don't go

🤯

[-] Folstar@lemmus.org 36 points 1 day ago

It's sure is neat how many GOP "issues" boil down to not understanding consent.

[-] PattyMcB@lemmy.world 100 points 1 day ago

If you think abortion is wrong, just don't have one.

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[-] BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca 104 points 1 day ago
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[-] jtrek@startrek.website 64 points 1 day ago

Conservatives want small government when it's stuff they want to do, and big government when they don't. In-groups to protect, out-groups to bind. Bad people. Cartoon villains.

Glad this judge seems sensible.

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this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2026
941 points (99.5% liked)

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