Queer Empowerment Council Fires Back at Texas A&M

March 6, 2025 – An LGBTQ+ student group has filed a lawsuit against Texas A&M University, challenging its recent policy that bans drag performances on all 11 public campuses within the Texas A&M System. The lawsuit, filed by the student organization that previously hosted Draggieland, argues that the ban violates their First Amendment rights to free speech and expression.

“Drag is self-expression, drag is discovery, drag is empowerment, and no amount of censorship will silence us,” read a statement from the Queer Empowerment Council. “We are committed to ensuring that our voices are heard, and that Draggieland will go on, no matter the obstacles we face.”

The controversy began when the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents passed a resolution prohibiting drag performances, claiming they are “not consistent with the values” of the institution. The decision effectively canceled Draggieland, an annual drag show that had been a staple of campus culture, celebrating LGBTQ+ visibility and artistic expression.

The student group contends that the ban specifically targets and suppresses LGBTQ+ voices, making it a discriminatory policy. Legal experts suggest that because Texas A&M is a public university, its restrictions on student-led events could face significant constitutional challenges.

University officials have defended the decision, arguing that the ban aligns with the institution’s priorities. However, civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates see it as part of a broader effort to limit LGBTQ+ representation in public spaces. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the ban, allowing Draggieland and other drag performances to return to campus.