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A University System Tried to Ban Drag Shows on Campus. Here's What Happened Next.

Leah Barkoukis
Leah Barkoukis  |  March 25, 2025 10:20 AM

Texas A&M University System is trying to comply with executive orders from President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott that instruct agencies against promoting “gender ideology” so as not to risk losing federal and state funding. To that end, the Board of Regents last month banned drag shows being held at its venues across the university system, meaning the annual “Draggieland” planned for this week was a no-go. But as we’re now seeing time after time, the move is being blocked by the courts, this time on First Amendment grounds. 

“In recent years, the commitment to free speech on campuses has been both challenging and challenged,” ruled Judge Lee Rosenthal. “There have been efforts from all sides of the political spectrum to disrupt or prevent students, faculty, and others from expressing opinions and speech that are deemed, or actually are, offensive or wrong. But the law requires the recognition and application of speech rights and guardrails that preserve and protect all our treasured First Amendment rights.”

The Queer Empowerment Council, the student group that sponsors the event, celebrated the ruling. 

“This is another display of the resilience of queer joy, as that is an unstoppable force despite those that wish to see it destroyed,” the group said. “While this fight isn’t over, we are going to appreciate the joy we get to bring by putting on the best show that we can do.”