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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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[–] Ravenheart@lemmy.zip 9 points 52 minutes 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.

[–] Rcklsabndn@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 hours ago

Fucking good.

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 hour ago

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

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 4 points 2 hours ago

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

[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

Free speech much?

[–] UltraMagnus0001@lemmy.world 6 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (1 children)

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 3 points 2 hours ago

Sounds like a republican presidential candidate.

[–] arc99@lemmy.world 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] notabot@piefed.social 2 points 2 hours ago

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

[–] SwissArmyKazoo@lemmy.world 8 points 7 hours ago

Reminds me of that one South Park episode.

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

[–] ironpangolin29@lemmy.ca 20 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

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 7 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

There's a reason Grindr crashes around Republican conventions.

Also, Trump and Giuliani did drag together before.

[–] BetaBlake@lemmy.world 30 points 15 hours ago (3 children)

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

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 59 minutes ago* (last edited 57 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 1 points 1 hour 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.

[–] MrOtingocni@lemmy.world 11 points 14 hours ago

...I feel like that is a challenge somehow.

[–] CalemitousVariantK@lemmy.world 18 points 15 hours ago

Just don't go

🤯

[–] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 3 points 10 hours ago

and not the more important things like the 1800 AI datancenters on standby being built.

[–] Folstar@lemmus.org 32 points 17 hours ago

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

[–] WakeUpSmashPots@lemmy.today 65 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world 28 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

The fReEdOm crowd sure wants to take away the freedom of a lot of people.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 1 points 56 minutes ago

"Free speech" for me of course, your "art" is disgusting and needs to be banned because my interpretation of my religion says so

[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 155 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (7 children)

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 4 points 7 hours 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 33 points 20 hours 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.

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[–] MyOpinion@lemmy.today 13 points 16 hours ago

You mean to tell me all of the republicans don’t have to go to drag shows? They can’t resist.

[–] Garbagio@lemmy.zip 8 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Can't wait for this to get appealed to the supreme court for a 5-4 bullshit decision

[–] tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip 3 points 5 hours ago

Nah, this one doesn't actually alter any power structures, so Drunky McAssboof and the Handmaiden can vote pro 1st amendment to show how "fair and balanced" the court is. Then when Dumpy Shitzenpantz brings a suit claiming midterm votes against the GOP is a terrorist threat to the country they'll all support making other parties illegal.

[–] Tiral@lemmy.world 3 points 12 hours ago

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

[–] jtrek@startrek.website 61 points 22 hours ago (5 children)

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.

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 3 points 10 hours ago

The best part is he's a Reagan appointee.

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[–] PattyMcB@lemmy.world 88 points 1 day ago (9 children)

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

[–] nulluser@lemmy.world 38 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Gay marriage enters the chat.

[–] ZeroCool@piefed.ca 3 points 2 hours ago (2 children)

Right? If you aren't interested in a gay marriage it's incredibly easy to avoid entering into one. I've managed to go my entire life without being gay-married. Heck, I'm not gay-married right now! Yet despite what Fox News tells conservatives, there's no gay mafia threatening or intimidating me for it.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 53 minutes ago* (last edited 52 minutes ago)

Tbh it was kinda a pain in the ass for me to get gay married. There was paperwork and everything! I had to leave work early to go to a government office. Not doing it really is the easier option

[–] nulluser@lemmy.world 2 points 2 hours ago

You have no idea how lucky you are. I was just going to the hardware store the other day and very nearly fell head long into a rogue gay marriage.

[–] Jaycifer@piefed.social 15 points 20 hours ago (11 children)

Okay, maybe I’ll get hate for this, and to be clear I fully support a woman’s right to abortion, but to the people who truly believe abortion is wrong this is basically saying “if you think murder is wrong, just don’t kill anyone.”

[–] Bubbaonthebeach@lemmy.ca 20 points 19 hours ago (6 children)

Almost every person I know who thinks abortion is morally wrong also supports the death penalty and war for almost any reason and police violence. They only seem to care about unborn fetuses that are not 'alive' independently from the body they inhabit. And most think that the mother's life is fine as a fetus' collateral damage. Therefore I don't for a minute believe that many of those who profess to morally care about life/murder, really care about either.

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[–] BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca 95 points 1 day ago (3 children)
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