The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in a lawsuit over West Texas A&M University's drag shows, allowing President Walter Wendler to cancel a scheduled on-campus drag show next week. Last year, Wendler banned student-led drag shows, prompting students to sue him for violating their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit is before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, but the slow legal process could result in another cancellation without court intervention. The Supreme Court did not provide a reason for denying the students' request, and the university declined to comment on pending litigation.
The majority of faculty members at West Texas A&M University have voted no confidence in University President Walter Wendler, following his decision to cancel a drag show on campus in March. The vote is non-binding, but 68.58% of eligible ballots voted in favor of no confidence.
An LGBTQ student group and its leaders have filed a lawsuit against the president of West Texas A&M University, Walter Wendler, for violating their First Amendment rights by canceling a planned campus drag show. The lawsuit comes after days of protests and a student petition in support of the drag show. The students want the event reinstated and ask the court to prohibit university administrators from violating their free speech rights. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is representing the students. Wendler sent a letter to the campus community Monday announcing drag shows are banned on campus.
West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler canceled a student-organized charity drag show for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, citing his personal religious beliefs and calling drag shows "derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny." The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is now suing Wendler and other Texas A&M University System officials for violating the students' First Amendment rights and a 2019 Texas campus free speech law. Wendler acknowledged that the "law of the land appears to require" him to permit student expression he dislikes, but refused to restore the event. The lawsuit seeks to halt Wendler's censorship, ensure the show will go on, and obtain damages for violating the students' rights.
The president of West Texas A&M University canceled a student drag show, comparing drag to blackface and calling it "derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny." Students and advocacy organizations have criticized the decision as a violation of students' First Amendment rights and a denigration of LGBTQ+ culture. Texas Republicans have filed bills targeting drag shows this legislative session. Student organizations have pledged to continue their protests and put on the show as planned, with businesses in Amarillo offering to host the event if the university does not permit it.
West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler has canceled a student drag show, claiming that such performances degrade women and are “derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny.” Students and First Amendment lawyers reject those assertions, calling his comments a mischaracterization of the art form. They also argue that the cancellation violates students’ constitutional rights and a state law that broadly protects free speech on college campuses, potentially setting the university up for a lawsuit.
