An LGBTQ student group at Texas A&M University has filed a lawsuit against the university’s recent policy banning drag shows on its campuses.
The lawsuit follows a decision by the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents to prohibit drag shows across all 11 public campuses within the system.
The Board of Regents approved the resolution to ban drag shows, stating that the performances are offensive and inconsistent with the university’s values.
The board passed the resolution unanimously, claiming that drag shows objectify women and promote a gender ideology that conflicts with the university’s mission.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, challenges the ban on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a non-profit organization that advocates for free speech, has joined the LGBTQ group in the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs argue that the ban amounts to viewpoint discrimination and infringes on students’ rights to free expression and assembly.
The Texas A&M University System has defended its decision, citing concerns about the appropriateness of drag shows in a university setting.
