The judge said the law was so broad that it might have even been turned against Parton for her "flamboyant clothes and breast exposure."
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 23: Dolly Parton performs during halftime in the game between the Washington Commanders and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 23, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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On the same day Dolly Parton died, a federal judge cited the legendary singer as he struck down a 2023 Texas law restricting drag shows — ruling the “sweeping” statute was so broad that even the late star might have faced criminal penalties for how she dressed.
In a decision on Tuesday (Aug. 26), Judge David Hittner ruled that the statute, known as Texas Senate Bill 12, was unconstitutional because it violated the First Amendment by infringing the freedom of speech.
