Student group challenges Texas A&M drag ban
A group of students is suing the Texas A&M University System after a vote last week banned all drag performances from taking place on its 11 campuses.
The resolution and subsequent lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the Southern District of Texas, are the latest developments in a yearslong battle within one of the nation’s largest university systems over on-campus drag performances.
Texas A&M’s Board of Regents voted almost unanimously late last month in favor of a resolution that states drag events are inconsistent with the system’s “mission and core values, including the value of respect for others.”
The resolution says drag shows are “likely to create or contribute to a hostile environment for women” in violation of university anti-discrimination policies and Title IX, the federal civil rights law against sex discrimination. “These events often involve unwelcome and objectively offensive conduct based on sex for many members of the respective communities of the universities, particularly when they involve the mockery or objectification of women,” the resolution says.
The document directs the system’s chancellor and the president of each university to prohibit drag shows from taking place on campus, citing an executive order from President Trump that proclaims the government recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and broadly prevents federal funds from being used to promote what Trump and his administration have called “gender ideology.”
The resolution also acknowledges a Jan. 30 letter from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) commanding state agencies to implement Trump’s order.
“Given that both the System and the Universities receive significant federal funding, the use of facilities at the Universities for Drag Show Events may be considered promotion of gender ideology in violation of the Executive Order and the Governor’s directive,” the resolution says.
A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday by students at Texas A&M University, the system’s flagship institution, argues the resolution violates their First Amendment rights and the Texas Open Meetings Act, which requires governmental bodies to post a meeting’s location and agenda at least 72 hours in advance.
The resolution’s adoption means “Draggieland,” an annual drag competition at A&M, will need to find a new host. The event scheduled for March 27 had been set to take place at the school’s Rudder Theater.
“We refuse to let Texas A&M dictate which voices belong on campus,” the students, known collectively as the Queer Empowerment Council, said in a statement. “Drag is self-expression, drag is discovery, drag is empowerment, and no amount of censorship will silence us.”
A system spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment on the lawsuit.
“Public universities can’t shut down student expression simply because the administration doesn’t like the ‘ideology’ or finds the expression ‘demeaning,’” said Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney at the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which is representing the Queer Empowerment Council in court.
The organization also represented students at West Texas A&M University in a 2023 lawsuit over the university president’s decision to cancel a charity drag show on campus. West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler argued drag performances degrade women and compared them to blackface.
“If other students dislike or disagree with Draggieland, the solution is simple: don’t go,” said Jeff Zeman, another FIRE attorney. “Or they could organize a protest, as students opposing drag have in the past. The First Amendment protects drag and the ability to criticize drag — and it forbids the government silencing the side it disagrees with.”
A Texas state law against drag performances was ruled unconstitutional in 2023. U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas David Hittner, a former President Reagan appointee, ruled that drag is expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment.
Last week, the Supreme Court turned away a case challenging similar restrictions on drag in Tennessee, leaving that law partially intact.
-
US advertising group Stagwell plans M&A drive
Founder Mark Penn hopes to double revenues and capitalise on upheaval at rivalsFinancial Times - 2d -
Grenfell contractor to challenge ban in court
Siderise Insulation says its inclusion in Kensington and Chelsea Council's ban is "without foundation".BBC News - Feb. 24 -
Supreme Court declines to take up challenge to Tennessee law restricting drag shows
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a Tennessee law restricting some drag performances, allowing the first-in-the-nation law to remain largely intact. In a brief, unsigned ...The Hill - Feb. 24 -
Top-ranked Auburn 'physically dominated' in loss to No. 22 Texas A&M
To Auburn coach Bruce Pearl the reason his top-ranked team fell to No. 22 Texas A&M Tuesday night was clearABC News - 15h -
2025 NFL Draft scouting report: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M
Stewart needs a lot of refining and honing in on his talent (his pass rush arsenal is quite limited right now, too). He’s the classic traits-laden edge prospect who carries risk, but the NFL is ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
College student groups based on race, ethnicity could be in jeopardy under Trump
The future of college student groups based on race or ethnicity could be in jeopardy. As the Trump administration ramps up its efforts against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), the ...The Hill - Feb. 23 -
Senate Democrats block bill to ban transgender students in girls' sports
The House passed a similar Republican-led measure in January and President Trump signed an executive order on the issue last month.CBS News - 2d -
FA wants 'insufficient' Roberts ban for Mateta challenge extended
The Football Association says Millwall keeper Liam Roberts' three-match ban for a challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is "clearly insufficient".BBC News - 19h -
NY Post challenges RFK Jr. on Texas measles outbreak: 'This vaccine is safe'
The editorial board of the New York Post is urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to clarify that the measles vaccine is safe amid a deadly outbreak in Texas. "Go to ...The Hill - 6d
More from The Hill
-
Walz calls Trump address 'reality TV'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s address to Congress in an interview on CNN, referring to the speech as “reality TV.” “Look, it was what I expected, it was reality ...The Hill - 3h -
New Mexico Democrat says 'This is not normal' sign at Trump address was 'an SOS to the world'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said during an interview that her “This is not normal” sign she held up near President Trump right before his Tuesday night speech to Congress was an “SOS to the ...The Hill - 3h -
House Republicans gush over DOGE in meeting with Musk
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk met with House Republicans Wednesday night to update them on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the newly created group takes ...The Hill - 4h -
Is Social Security money going to 'millions' of people listed as old as 149?
Trump drew laughs during his congressional address Tuesday when he alleged that the Social Security Administration (SSA) had millions of beneficiaries listed at 140 years of age and older. But is ...The Hill - 4h -
GOP lawmaker holding town hall despite advice to avoid them: 'I trust my constituents'
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) said Wednesday he’s holding a town hall despite House Republicans being recently pushed to avoid in-person town halls and do phone or livestreamed ones instead. “I'm ...The Hill - 5h
More in Politics
-
Walz calls Trump address 'reality TV'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s address to Congress in an interview on CNN, referring to the speech as “reality TV.” “Look, it was what I expected, it was reality ...The Hill - 3h -
New Mexico Democrat says 'This is not normal' sign at Trump address was 'an SOS to the world'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said during an interview that her “This is not normal” sign she held up near President Trump right before his Tuesday night speech to Congress was an “SOS to the ...The Hill - 3h -
House Republicans gush over DOGE in meeting with Musk
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk met with House Republicans Wednesday night to update them on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the newly created group takes ...The Hill - 4h -
Is Social Security money going to 'millions' of people listed as old as 149?
Trump drew laughs during his congressional address Tuesday when he alleged that the Social Security Administration (SSA) had millions of beneficiaries listed at 140 years of age and older. But is ...The Hill - 4h -
House GOP pursues stopgap measure to avoid government shutdown
House Republicans are pursuing a stopgap measure to keep the government funded through September, with just 10 days left to head off a shutdown.CBS News - 4h