Attorney General Ken Paxton is stepping up to defend Texas A&M’s decision to ban drag shows on all of its campuses following a recent lawsuit filed by a left-wing group seeking to overturn the policy.
The Texas A&M Queer Empowerment Council initiated the lawsuit in response to the Board of Regents’ decision to ban drag shows, which was allegedly made to align with the conservative values of the school, as well as with federal law, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Paxton’s office is now representing the Texas A&M Board of Regents, according to a press release, arguing that the ban is in line with both state and federal orders.
The Board previously cited President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, which prohibits federal funds from being used to promote gender ideology, and a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott mandating that state agencies adhere to the order.
Additionally, the Board claims that drag shows, particularly those that involve “sexualized, vulgar, or lewd conduct,” conflict with the educational mission and core values of the university’s system.
“Texans’ tax dollars should not fund or be used for vulgar assaults on our values, which is why I’m defending the Board’s ban on these shows against the frivolous lawsuit launched by left-wing radicals,” Paxton wrote.
“Our colleges and universities exist to help students learn and equip them as they take their next steps in life. They are not, and never have been, a place for taxpayer-funded drag shows where men pretending to be women engage in obscene, offensive, and degrading behavior,” he added.
The lawsuit from the Texas A&M Queer Empowerment Council claims that the ban infringes on the rights of students and faculty, claiming that drag shows are a legitimate form of self-expression and a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. The group further argues that banning these events constitutes a violation of free speech and discriminatory behavior against the LGBTQ+ community.
However, Paxton remains firm in his defense of the Board’s decision, calling the lawsuit a “frivolous” attack from left-wing activists who are seeking to impose their woke ideology on Texas institutions.
Paxton stressed that the decision was made to protect the values of the broader Texas community, aiming to ensure that campuses across Texas remain places of higher learning rather than platforms for controversial performances.
Texas A&M continues to face pressure regarding woke practices and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives throughout 2025.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the university continues to offer a variety of DEI-themed courses despite other Texas universities phasing out such programs.
The university currently provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies, minors, and certificates in LGBTQ+ studies, gender health, and other related fields. The courses offered include topics like Feminist Theory; Gender, Race and Media; Queer Theory; and Psychology of Women of Color.