Dolly Parton has been cited by a judge striking down a proposed drag ban in Texas.
Senate Bill 12, which was passed in 2023, bans “sexually oriented performances” from public venues and places where minors may be present. Though bill doesn’t explicitly state that drag is the target, Texas governer Greg Abbott has previously referenced the bill as a drag ban.
The bill penalises venues for hosting such performances with fines of up to $10,000. Performers can also be charged with misdemeanor. Though the bill was struck down by US District Judge David Hittner in 2023, an appeal was made, which brought the bill into effect in March.
Now, Hittner has once again struck down the bill. Hittner said that the bill was too vague in describing performances with a “prurient interest in sex”, which could potentially affect freedom of expression.
Hittner argued, for instance that late country icon Dolly Parton has been a highly-recognised figure and sex symbol due to her “big hair, flamboyant clothes and breast exposure”.
“There are ‘erotic’ elements in countless popular performances,” he reasoned, going on to argue that “a single moment of eroticism could condemn an entire performance” under the bill.
It is expected that Attorney General Ken Paxton will continue to appeal the decision.
Parton died aged 80 on August 25 following a “brief battle with cancer“. Her family added that she was “surrounded by loved ones” when she passed away.
Elton John, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Mick Jagger, Debbie Harry, Eminem and Miley Cyrus (Parton’s goddaughter) are among the major artists to have shared messages about the beloved country superstar. US President Donald Trump also ordered for flags to be lowered at half-mast for a week across the country to honour Parton’s legacy.
A number of musicians also paid musical tribute to Parton in the days following her death, with Jack White performing his take on ‘Jolene’ in London.
The King’s Guard performed ‘9 To 5’ at Buckingham Palace, and Orville Peck also gave his own touching version of ‘I Will Always Love You’.
