Texas A&M Sued by Students Over Drag Show Ban

A student group alleges the university system's ban on drag performances violates First Amendment rights and state transparency laws.

Texas A&M University System's Board of Regents recently approved a resolution banning drag performances across its 11 campuses, citing concerns about respect and potential violations of anti-discrimination policies.
The resolution claims drag shows create a hostile environment for women and contravene executive orders from President Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott regarding gender ideology and biological sex definitions.
The Queer Empowerment Council, a student group, has filed a federal lawsuit arguing the ban infringes on First Amendment protections for free expression and violates Texas' Open Meetings Act.
The ban directly impacts the annual Draggieland event, a long-standing drag competition scheduled for March 27, which now must find a new venue.
Legal experts and advocacy groups, including FIRE, assert that drag performances are protected expressive conduct under the First Amendment and warn against government-imposed viewpoint discrimination.