(Texas Scorecard) – The Texas A&M System Board of Regents passed a resolution banning drag shows across all 11 universities.
The regents resolved that the system Chancellor John Sharp, TAMU President Mark A. Welsh III, and all other university presidents must take immediate action to cancel any upcoming drag show events. This includes Texas A&M College Station’s annual “Draggieland” show, scheduled for March 27 and hosted by the Queer Empowerment Council at Rudder Theatre.
The board finds that it is inconsistent with the system’s mission and core values of its universities, including the value of respect for others, to allow special event venues of the universities to be used for drag shows that involve biological males dressing in women’s clothing, wearing exaggerated female makeup and/or exaggerated prosthetics meant to parody the female body type, and that are: open to the public; involve sexualized, vulgar or lewd conduct; and involve conduct that demeans women (Drag Show Events).
In 2023, West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler canceled a drag show on campus, arguing the performances are “derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny, no matter the stated intent.”
Also affirmed in the regents’ resolution was President Donald Trump’s executive order recognizing the biological reality of two sexes. The executive order also prohibits the use of federal funds in the promotion of gender ideology.
“WHEREAS, given that both the System and the universities receive significant federal funding, the use of facilities at the Universities for Drag Show Events shall not be held at Special Event Venues on any of the campuses of the universities,” the resolution read.
The Texas A&M University System is overseen by a board of regents which is appointed by and accountable to the governor.