Texas book ban law is likely unconstitutional, appeals court rules
The Texas READER Act's restrictions on book vendors' sales to schools can't be enforced while a lawsuit continues, the Fifth Circuit ruled.
January 17, 2024
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The Texas READER Act's restrictions on book vendors' sales to schools can't be enforced while a lawsuit continues, the Fifth Circuit ruled.
The law can't go into effect for at least another two weeks as deliberations on a lawsuit continue.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Republican, signed the bill into law in October.
Over the objections of the Texas attorney general, a probate judge in Texas has recognized a lesbian's common law marriage to her deceased wife.
Senate Bill 3 moved ahead even after predictions of massive losses if the law ultimately passes.
Lawmakers in Texas gerrymandered their district maps along racial lines, a federal judge says.
The statement is totally in keeping with Paxton's anti-LGBTQ+ record.
The court did allow a suit against the restrictive law to proceed, but it leaves important rights in peril, activists say.Â
California banned state-funded travel to Texas over an anti-LGBTQ+ Lone Star State law, leading Texas AG Ken Paxton to sue, but the Supreme Court won't take the case.
The legislation prevents state and local governments from "punishing" businesses because of their donations to faith-based groups, including anti-LGBTQ ones.
Gov. Greg Abbott's plan for amending the U.S. Constitution to give states this power would be a way of getting around the marriage equality ruling.
Very different conclusions came from two federal judges in the same state.
Families, health care providers, and LGBTQ+ groups had sued to block the bans, but they'll be enforced while the lawsuits proceed.
These actions violated federal antidiscrimination law, the ACLU of Texas says.
The state had already barred trans athletes from competing under their gender identity in K-12 public schools.
"No family should have to fear being torn apart because they are supporting their trans child," said an ACLU of Texas representative.
A group, which includes Pornhub, said the law is not about protecting minors but about restricting content that Texas lawmakers disfavor.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill to this effect into law Friday.
In a matter some might call ironic, the conservative administrator’s unilateral action banning drag performance from campus may violate a free expression law signed by the Republican governor.