Federal appeals court rules Texas can enforce 2023 law restricting certain drag show performances

A federal appeals court has ruled that the state of Texas can start enforcing a 2023 law that restricts certain “drag show” performances in public or when children are present. 

The legislation in question, known as Senate Bill 12, prohibits drag performers from engaging in suggestive dancing or wearing specific prosthetics on public property or in front of minors. 

Violations can trigger fines up to $10,000 for venue owners and can bring a Class A misdemeanor charge for the performer. 

A three-judge panel of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower-court ruling that had declared the law unconstitutional.