The last time the Catalyst Collective released a statement about the Texas Legislature and some upcoming bills, we didn’t know which (if any) of the bills would pass.
Now, we do. Senate Bill 12, which is commonly called the Drag Ban, passed both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor.
In August, lawsuits were filed to prevent the law from going into effect on September 1, 2023. As of September 26th a permanent injunction is in place, courtesy of US District Judge David Hittner, and the law cannot be enforced. The State of Texas is expected to appeal the ruling, so it’s not the end of the discussion.
While this legislation wouldn’t likely have affected our event directly for 2024, we know that it has an impact on many members of our community. Know that we are keeping watch on the continuing legal actions, and support our LGBTQIA+ community members and drag performers.
Our mission is to foster an environment of creative self-expression, where participants feel supported to honestly express their inner selves, through artistic creation, performance, and in their social interactions. Drag is a form of self-expression, and our organization supports such self-expression.
You can read the text of the permanent injunction at the ACLU of Texas, and view their press release.