Federal Judge Strikes Down Texas Drag Show Law Again

A federal judge in Texas has struck down a state law restricting drag performances for the second time, ruling that the measure violates the First Amendment and is unconstitutionally vague. U.S. District Judge David Hittner issued the decision on August 25, 2026, blocking Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from enforcing Senate Bill 12, which was passed in 2023. The ruling marks the latest development in a yearslong legal battle over the law, which had been reinstated after an appeals court sent the case back for reconsideration. The law, known as Senate Bill 12, sought to regulate what it described as "sexually oriented performances" in public or venues where minors could be present.