Drag

Federal Court Halts Texas A&M’s Drag Show Ban, Upholding LGBTQ+ Free Speech Rights

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Houston, Texas — A federal judge issued a temporary order preventing the Texas A&M University System from enforcing a ban on drag shows, a ruling celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates and free speech proponents alike. The decision marks a substantial affirmation of expression rights for students within the campus. In February, the Texas A&M Board of Regents enacted a policy that outlawed drag performances at all university system campuses, citing these events as contrary to the institution’s core mission and claiming they could foster a hostile environment for women. The board further leveraged an argument based … Read more

Supreme Court Declines Appeal Challenging Tennessee Drag Performance Restrictions Involving Minors

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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court has recently decided not to take up a case challenging a Tennessee statute that imposes limitations on drag performances in venues accessible to children. This decision leaves in place the rulings by lower courts, which have sparked a vigorous debate about the balancing act between free speech rights and the protection of minors from adult-oriented content. The legal challenge was initiated by the Friends of George’s theater company after Tennessee passed the Adult Entertainment Act (AEA) in 2023, which bars what it classifies as “adult cabaret” from being … Read more

New Hampshire State Representative Settles Defamation Suit, Pays $200,000 to Drag Queens After False Accusations

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Derry, NH — A defamation lawsuit concluded with a New Hampshire state legislator agreeing to issue a six-figure settlement and a public apology to two drag performers whom he had falsely accused of criminal and inappropriate behavior. The lawsuit centered around Rep. David Love’s allegations during a 2021 legislative session, which were later admitted to be based on erroneous information. Local performers Robert Champion, known on stage as Monique Toosoon, and Michael McMahon, whose stage name is Clara Divine, filed the lawsuit against Love in April 2022. This followed public claims by Love, suggesting Champion … Read more

Jury Awards $1.1 Million in Defamation Case to Drag Performer Falsely Accused of Indecency

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COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho — A drag performer in Idaho was awarded over $1.1 million in a defamation case against a blogger who falsely accused him of indecent exposure during a public performance. On Friday, following a five-day trial and roughly three and a half hours of deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict in favor of the performer, delivering a pivotal decision on the consequences of defamation through social media. The case centered around Eric Posey, a resident of Post Falls, who took legal action after blogger Summer Bushnell claimed he had exposed himself during … Read more