Overview
- Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit against the City of Denton on Monday seeking a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to bar gender‑neutral multi‑occupancy changing rooms at the privately organized "Big Gay Swim Day" set for June 7.
- Paxton's filing cites a May 19 promotional screenshot and a resident complaint to argue the event would violate the Texas Women's Privacy Act, a 2025 law that requires certain public changing spaces in government buildings to be designated by biological sex.
- City officials and event organizers say they were warned by staff on May 21, removed references to all‑gender changing rooms and intend to respond to the AG's suit, calling the filing unnecessary and saying the rental is a private event.
- The law allows the attorney general to seek civil penalties and injunctions against public entities that fail to ensure compliance, with fines that can reach six figures for repeat violations and smaller penalties for initial offenses.
- The case highlights how SB 8 forces quick compliance choices by small nonprofits and cities and could shape how Texas officials handle future LGBTQ+ gatherings at city‑owned facilities and related legal challenges.