Judge Cites Dolly Parton in Ruling Against Texas Drag Ban
A US federal district court judge has once again ruled against Texas's Senate Bill 12 — widely known as the "drag ban" — with country icon Dolly Parton appearing directly in the reasoning behind the decision. According to NME, Judge David Hittner found the law's standard for defining sexual content in performance too vague, raising free speech concerns. The ruling comes shortly after Parton's death on August 25 at age 80.
What the ruling says
Senate Bill 12 passed in 2023 and bans "sexually oriented performances" in public spaces or venues where minors might be present. The bill's text doesn't name drag performance specifically, but Texas Governor Greg Abbott had previously referred to it directly as a "drag ban." Venues found in violation can face fines of up to $10,000, and performers could face misdemeanor charges.
Hittner first ruled the law unconstitutional back in 2023. Prosecutors appealed, and the law briefly took effect this past March. In his latest ruling, Hittner focused on the law's vague language around performances that appeal to "a prurient interest in sex." He pointed to Parton — long treated as a sex symbol because of her "big hair, exaggerated costumes, and physical presentation" — as evidence that erotic elements run through "countless popular performances." Under the law as written, he noted, a single suggestive moment could be enough to criminalize an entire show.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to appeal the ruling further.
Tributes following Parton's death
Parton died of cancer on August 25; her family said she was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death. Tributes poured in from Elton John, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, Eminem, and her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. US President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff nationwide for a week.
Several artists paid onstage tribute: Jack White performed "Jolene" in London, the British Royal Guard band played "9 To 5" at Buckingham Palace, and Orville Peck covered "I Will Always Love You."