TEXAS — A First Amendment lawsuit was filed Wednesday against Texas A&M University by the school's Queer Empowerment Council following a board of regents ban on drag shows.

Filed against the board, the lawsuit claims the March 27 Draggieland drag show was their target. The organization’s event, now in its sixth year, consistently sells out the 750-seat Rudder Theatre at Texas A&M.

According to the lawsuit, the university’s “Expressive Activity on Campus” policy permits student expressive activities, provided that reasonable time, place and manner restrictions are observed.

A lack of written Texas A&M University policy limiting student organization content in the Rudder Theatre Complex is also cited in the lawsuit.

“Under the Drag Ban Resolution, university officials are denying the Queer Empowerment Council access to spaces made available to organizations expressing a variety of viewpoints, including groups that criticize ‘gender ideology,’” the lawsuit alleges.

A Feb. 28 decision by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents prohibited drag shows across its 11 universities.

While the resolution advocated for fostering community in universities, it declared drag shows incompatible with the institution’s mission and values.

The Queer Empowerment Council is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order prohibiting the university from enforcing the Drag Ban Resolution and canceling the Draggieland show.

Refunds for ticket holders started on March 3, while the council seeks alternative venues and dates.

Draggieland is a pageant-style performance performed each year at the Texas A&M College Station campus. Event proceeds fund the Queer Empowerment Council’s other expressive activities yearly. Draggieland 2025 receives no funding from Texas A&M.

The full lawsuit can be found here.