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

  • UltraMagnus0001@lemmy.world
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    5 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

  • arc99@lemmy.world
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    5 hours ago

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

    • captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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      46 minutes 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
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      2 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.

  • inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world
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    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.

  • Tiral@lemmy.world
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    12 hours ago

    Ah Texas, the hypocrite state. Uphold the rights of all, until they don’t like something that falls under those rights.

  • MehBlah@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    How can you expect these bigots to stay away? What kind of solution is that? Why wont someone think of hate and intolerance for once.

    /s

  • danc4498@lemmy.world
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    24 hours ago

    Having been to a drag show, it’s really no different than a fashion show. More clothing, actually.