ROUND ROCK—A recently unveiled state historical marker honoring a Texas drag performer is drawing criticism from conservative activists, who question the priorities of the Texas Historical Commission.
Last week, officials unveiled an Official Texas Historical Marker in Round Rock recognizing Vander Clyde Broadway, a Round Rock native who achieved international fame in the 1920s and 1930s performing under the stage name “Barbette.”
According to local reporting, the unveiling ceremony included city officials, drag performers, and LGBT activists. Supporters described the marker as one of only a handful in Texas recognizing LGBT history.
Broadway, who graduated from Round Rock High School in 1913, found success as an aerialist and female impersonator in Europe, where he performed under the name Barbette. He later became a choreographer and circus trainer before his death in 1973.
The marker itself highlights Broadway’s cross-dressing performances. It states that his circus role required him to wear women’s clothing and later describes performances in which he appeared “as a woman, complete with wigs, lavish outfits and makeup” before revealing himself to audiences at the end of the act.
The move has been celebrated by LGBT advocates as a milestone for representation in Texas history.
“It’s almost like a breakthrough for a community that was thought to be so ultra conservative for so many years,” Round Rock Pride founder Richard Parson told KXAN.
Not everyone agrees with the commission’s decision.
“Historical markers exist to preserve genuine Texas history, not to advance the radical LGBTQ agenda,” said Brady Gray, president of the Texas Family Project.
Texans demand an honest reckoning with our past, not taxpayer-funded propaganda that honors and celebrates drag performers and gender ideology. While countless soldiers, pioneers, statesmen, pastors, and community leaders who built this state go unrecognized, the state’s heritage guardians are busy elevating sexual deviancy and ideological delusions. This is a disgraceful betrayal of priorities and a blatant assault on our Christian heritage and common sense.
The Texas Historical Commission oversees the state’s historical marker program. According to commission documents, applications for new markers are evaluated and scored by staff before being considered by commissioners. The commission also establishes thematic priorities that can receive additional consideration during the review process.
The commission is governed by members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott and confirmed by the Senate. Its current chairman is John Nau III, former CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors, who has served as the governor’s campaign treasurer.
Texas Scorecard has submitted a public information request seeking records related to the marker’s application and approval process, including application materials, scoring documents, staff recommendations, and records identifying the organizations that sponsored the effort. No response has been received yet.
