Court Decision Supports Drag Shows and Free Speech at Texas University

People walking on a college campus in autumn.

Federal judge obliterates Texas A&M’s ban on drag performances, reigniting a bitter debate about whether taxpayer-funded institutions should host events that many conservatives view as promoting radical gender ideology on campus.

Key Takeaways

A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System’s ban on drag performances, allowing the “Draggieland” event to proceed despite objections from the Board of Regents
Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled the ban constitutes viewpoint discrimination, rejecting arguments that drag shows promote “gender ideology” or create a hostile environment for women
Texas Governor Greg Abbott condemned the ruling, asserting universities “have every right to dictate what events are held on their campuses”
The ruling represents another defeat for conservative attempts to limit drag performances in public spaces and institutions

Another Liberal Judge Overturns University Values

In yet another example of judicial activism overriding institutional values, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has temporarily blocked Texas A&M University System’s ban on drag performances, forcing the university to host the controversial “Draggieland” event on campus. The Texas A&M Board of Regents had specifically banned these types of performances, citing potential violations of the university’s mission and concerns about contributing to a hostile environment for women. The decision represents a troubling pattern of left-leaning courts imposing their cultural values on educational institutions trying to uphold traditional standards.

The lawsuit was filed by the Texas A&M Queer Empowerment Council with support from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), claiming the ban violated their First Amendment rights. Judge Rosenthal sided with the activists, determining that drag shows are a form of protected expression despite reasonable concerns about their appropriateness at a taxpayer-funded institution. This decision effectively forces Texas A&M to use its resources and facilities to host performances that many of its stakeholders, donors, and student families find objectionable.

Judge’s Tortured Logic Prioritizes Performance Over Educational Mission

Judge Rosenthal’s ruling relies on a remarkably generous interpretation of what constitutes protected speech, claiming drag performances convey “culturally significant messages” about LGBTQ+ rights. The judge went so far as to declare that “by permitting Draggieland to be held on campus, in the theatre used for a wide variety of events and performances, for those who want to attend and have bought tickets to do so, the Board does not imply that it endorses Draggieland’s message.” This reasoning essentially strips universities of their ability to make value judgments about which activities align with their institutional mission.

“By permitting Draggieland to be held on campus, in the theatre used for a wide variety of events and performances, for those who want to attend and have bought tickets to do so, the Board does not imply that it endorses Draggieland’s message. Instead, the Board is complying with the constitutional obligation to allow different messages and viewpoints, including those viewed as offensive to some, to be expressed at a university that is committed to critical thought about a wide range of conflicting and divergent viewpoints and ideologies.” – Judge Lee H. Rosenthal

The judge’s dismissive attitude toward legitimate concerns was further revealed in her flippant remark that “anyone who finds the performance or performers offensive has a simple remedy: don’t go.” This simplistic response ignores the deeper issue that many taxpayers, alumni, and stakeholders have no choice but to financially support an institution now being forced to host events that contradict their values. The Queer Empowerment Council celebrated the ruling as “another display of the resilience of queer joy,” highlighting how these events are far more about advancing political agendas than academic enrichment.

Governor Abbott Stands Up for University Independence

Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded to the ruling with a forceful statement defending institutional autonomy, saying, “Texas universities have every right to dictate what events are held on their campuses. Drag shows promote radical gender ideology. They are not welcome at Texas universities. Our universities must educate our students—NOT indoctrinate them.” Abbott’s statement reflects the frustration of many conservatives who see universities abandoning their core educational missions in favor of promoting progressive social activism.

“Texas universities have every right to dictate what events are held on their campuses. Drag shows promote radical gender ideology. They are not welcome at Texas universities. Our universities must educate our students—NOT indoctrinate them.” – Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott

This controversy is part of a broader trend where progressive judges are striking down reasonable attempts to limit controversial performances. In 2023, Texas passed Senate Bill 12 restricting drag performances, but it was similarly struck down as unconstitutional. The pattern is clear: regardless of how voters and their elected representatives feel about these performances, activist judges continue to impose their personal vision of cultural values. The Texas A&M University System is currently reviewing the judge’s opinion and considering their next steps, but this ruling signals another significant challenge for conservatives trying to preserve traditional educational values.