The Texas Aggie Democrats at Texas A&M University-College Station hosted a “Day of Drag” rally Thursday evening in response to the cancellation of “Draggieland.”
Around 100 students showed up, with many in drag, to protest the Texas A&M System Board of Regents’ decision to ban on-campus drag shows at all system universities.
The protestors gathered in the Academic Plaza to chant “y’all means all” and “Aggies for free expression, not suppression.”
Texas Scorecard interviewed several of the protestors.
“[Drag queens] are a vital part of our culture, and I think suppressing them because you’re afraid of them is way more disrespectful to Aggie values,” said one of the student protestors.
Another protestor said that drag queens in fact do represent Aggie values. “They’re honoring the history of drag queens and kings and stuff that have come before them,” he said.
“This [the ban] is a clear, clear violation of the First Amendment and a horrible blow to the LGBTQ community on Texas A&M’s campus, who have already had so many blows,” said Texas Aggie Democrats President Kevin Pierce.
“Draggieland was not only probably the biggest event for the LGBTQ community on Texas A&M’s campus, but it’s also one of the proudest and loudest examples of Aggies exemplifying their free speech,” he continued. “We have to show that the decision is not ok.”
Other speakers were discussed the history of drag, with one claiming “Any history is queer history.”
“Drag history is black history, drag history is queer history, drag history is history of the United States of America and you cannot take that away.”
The speaker explained that “drag” refers to long ball gowns that drag queens allegedly used to wear. “We need to bring back some of those big dresses actually,” she said.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has filed a lawsuit against the university on behalf of the Queer Empowerment Council, which organizes the annual “Draggieland” performance.
The lawsuit accuses A&M leadership of infringing on LGBT students’ First Amendment rights by canceling the event.
