The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Passes Resolution Banning Drag Shows on Campus
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has passed a resolution banning all drag performances from taking place on its 11 university campuses. This move has sparked concerns about the impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the potential for First Amendment conflicts.
Why the Ban?
The resolution states that drag shows are "inconsistent with [the system’s] mission and core values, including the value of respect for others." It also claims that 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."
Consequences for Draggieland
The resolution’s passage means that Draggieland, an annual event scheduled for March 27 at the Rudder Theatre on the College Station campus, will have to find a new venue. Students have also held drag shows at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and East Texas A&M University.
First Amendment Concerns
The ban has raised concerns about the potential for First Amendment conflicts between students and university administrators. "They are imposing a restraint on an entire category of protected speech under the First Amendment and in no public college campus should that ever occur per our Constitution," said JT Morris, senior attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
Other Universities Have Faced Similar Issues
In 2023, West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler canceled an on-campus drag show, citing concerns about the degradation of women. The students involved in the show sued him, arguing that his actions violated their First Amendment rights. The court has allowed the cancellation to stand while it makes a decision.
Civil Rights Groups Condemn the Resolution
Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Texas, have condemned the resolution. "To do this now, while that’s already happening, is a waste of time and resources and makes it seem like the Board of Regents is more focused on culture wars than educating their students," said Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist for LGBTQIA+ rights at the ACLU of Texas.
More than Just Men’s Performances
Sofia Sepulveda, field director for Equality Texas, noted that not all drag is performed by men. "Women performers also delight in a chance to poke fun at stereotypes that have held women back for generations," she said. She also criticized the gender disparities among the flagship’s faculty, pointing out that only 40% of the faculty are women, while 60% are men.
Conclusion
The ban on drag shows on Texas A&M University campuses has raised concerns about the impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the potential for First Amendment conflicts. The move has sparked debate about the value of drag performances and the importance of respecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
FAQs
Q: What is Draggieland?
A: Draggieland is an annual event that features drag performances and is held at the Rudder Theatre on the College Station campus of Texas A&M University.
Q: Why did the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents pass a resolution banning drag shows?
A: The resolution states that drag shows are "inconsistent with [the system’s] mission and core values, including the value of respect for others."
Q: What are the consequences of the ban on drag shows?
A: The ban means that Draggieland, an annual event scheduled for March 27, will have to find a new venue. It also raises concerns about the potential for First Amendment conflicts between students and university administrators.
Q: What is the reaction to the ban?
A: Civil rights groups, including the ACLU of Texas, have condemned the resolution, citing concerns about the impact on the LGBTQ+ community and the potential for First Amendment conflicts.
