A judge in Montana has blocked a law banning drag shows in front of minors in public state-funded venues just two days before the massive statewide pride celebrations.
Montana Pride 2023 will be held in Helena be done From July 30th to August 6th. Participants can: register For $50 each.
U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris said the law “does unwarranted harm not only to drag performers, but to anyone who deviates from traditional gender and identity norms.” (Related article: Teacher says he was fired for participating in drag shows; school pastor cites ‘sacred rule’)
In May, Montana became the first state in the nation to ban drag shows in public places where minors can be present. Republican Rep. Mitchell Braxton, the bill’s sponsor, said it has begun “on a national scale for many other states to follow suit.” The bill passed the House 66-33 and the Senate 29-21.
Montana Judge Lifts Ban on Drag Performances Ahead of Major Pride Event https://t.co/y6jZ4UQ7uM
— Politico (@politico) July 29, 2023
“Plaintiffs, along with the approximately 15,000 Montanas who wish to attend the (Montana Pride) event, cannot avoid being exposed to callous remarks and potential civil and criminal liability,” the judge said. wrote.
A group of transgender activists sued the state, saying the bill was “excussively vague.” Among the plaintiffs are the owners of venues that hosted such performances. One of the plaintiffs feared the law would affect his ability to impersonate literary characters and give presentations in high schools.
A judge recently overturned a Montana law requiring a court order to legally change gender. 13th District Court Judge Michael Moses said transgender people in the state will no longer be required to undergo sex reassignment surgery or be court-ordered to change the gender on their driver’s license or birth certificate.
A Tennessee bill restricting children’s drug performance was temporarily blocked by a judge in March. The judge said the law was “unconstitutional and vague” and encouraged “discriminatory enforcement.”
