A Trans Woman, Brewery, Pole Dancing Studio, and More Are Teaming Up to Sue Over Montana’s Drag Ban

A group of nine plaintiffs including a brewery, a theater, and a public school teacher have filed a federal lawsuit to challenge Montana’s far-reaching drag ban. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on July 6, alleges that House Bill 359 unconstitutionally restricts the First Amendment right to free expression by attempting to ban drag performances. The bill, passed by the state’s Republican lawmakers in May of this year, bans both “sexually oriented performances” and drag shows that are not sexual from schools, libraries, and other public venues, with fines...