RELEASE: SB 12/Child Protection Case Update: Texas Values Files Amicus Brief  

Austin, TX – Today, Texas Values filed a legal amicus brief in federal court, opposing efforts by LGBT groups to stop Senate Bill 12, the new law protecting children from harmful sexually oriented performances, from going into effect next week.

Jonathan Saenz, President and Attorney for Texas Values stated:

“Texas kids are being targeted and exploited for sexual pleasure and political gain, and this will continue if SB 12 is blocked by the court.  We are thankful to the Texas Attorney General’s office for their work to protect kids, and this should be an easy case for the court to dismiss.”

Texas Values’ brief argues that SB 12 is content-neutral as written and well within First Amendment boundaries for regulating explicit conduct in front of children. It also offers insight into the legislative intent behind SB 12 as stated by its primary authors in the Texas House and Texas Senate.

The case, The Woodlands Pride, Inc. et al. v. Colmenero et al., is scheduled to have a hearing on Monday, August 28, 2023 in Houston to decide if the court will temporarily halt implementation of the legislation while the lawsuit progresses. Texas Values Legal and Policy team members strongly supported SB 12 in the Texas Legislature and testified at both the Texas House and Texas Senate public hearings on the bill.

You can find a copy of the legal amicus brief here.

Members of the Texas Values policy team are available for comment. Contact [email protected].

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About Texas Values 

Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.