Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Texas city’s ‘Big Gay Swim Day’ Pride event over changing rooms
Ken Paxton. (Getty)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the city of Denton over an upcoming Pride Month event known as “Big Gay Swim Day,” alleging the gathering could violate the state’s sex-segregated facilities law.
The lawsuit seeks to block the 7 June event, which is being held as a private rental at Denton’s Civic Center pool.
Paxton’s office argues that promotional materials suggested the facility’s gendered changing rooms would be converted for the event, potentially conflicting with the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, which requires access to certain public changing facilities to be based on sex assigned at birth, as reported by The Texan.
City officials have said the event is not sponsored by Denton and that organisers were informed in advance that they must comply with state law.
According to the city, organisers were told that plans for all-gender bathrooms or changing areas would not be permitted, and promotional language referencing those accommodations was removed before the lawsuit was filed.
In a joint statement posted to Instagram, LGBTQ+ organisations OUTreach Denton and PRIDENTON described the lawsuit as a “frivolous” waste of public resources. The groups said they were informed by the city on 21 May that they weren’t allowed to have all-gender restrooms, and they had already updated event materials to comply with the city’s requirement.
“It is disappointing that bad actors have attempted to turn queer joy into a political spectacle. We will not allow these attacks to spread fear, isolation, or shame…. We look forward to celebrating and affirming Texans of all gender identities. Happy Pride,” the groups wrote.
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