Drag is an art form. Texans should not have to fear government punishment simply because elected officials disapprove of the expression they put on a stage.

In 2023, Texas enacted Senate Bill 12, a law restricting certain “sexually oriented performances” on public property, at commercial businesses in the presence of minors, and in other circumstances. The law created potential criminal penalties for performers and civil penalties for businesses.

The fight over SB 12 has now lasted for years. A federal district court first ruled the law unconstitutional in 2023, finding that it violated the First Amendment. After further proceedings in the Fifth Circuit allowed the law to take effect in March 2026, U.S. District Judge David Hittner again ruled on August 25, 2026 that SB 12 was unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement.

The court found that the law reached constitutionally protected performances and targeted expression based on its content and viewpoint.

Texas lawmakers should stop forcing performers, businesses, LGBTQ+ Texans, and communities to repeatedly defend protected expression from government censorship.

This is bigger than one type of performance. The First Amendment protects expression even when elected officials or members of the public find that expression controversial or offensive. Drag artists deserve those protections too.

We are calling on Texas leaders to repeal SB 12 and reject future legislation that attempts to recreate unconstitutional restrictions on drag performances or other protected artistic expression.

Sign this petition and demand that Texas lawmakers defend free expression instead of censoring it. Repeal SB 12 and end the effort to punish drag performers for constitutionally protected art.