Brigitte Bandit

Brigitte Bandit is a drag performer who has become a central figure in the legal challenges against Texas's Senate Bill 12, a law that sought to restrict certain drag performances. The law, passed in 2023, aimed to ban drag shows in public spaces or where children might be present. Bandit, along with other performers and organizations, challenged the law, arguing it violated First Amendment rights. A federal judge has now twice ruled against the state, declaring the law unconstitutional. The most recent ruling, issued on August 27, 2026, by US District Judge David Hittner, stated that Texas cannot enforce the drag show ban, reiterating that the measure improperly restricts speech. This ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between state-level attempts to regulate public performances and constitutional protections for freedom of expression, with Bandit and the drag community continuing to advocate for their right to perform.