A Texas university president banned drag and compared it to blackface. Students are taking the case to the Supreme Court

This blog originally appeared at YAHOO NEWS.

The university’s religious president labeled drag shows as misogynistic and drew parallels between them and blackface performances.

In Texas, a group of students has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for an injunction permitting them to host a charitable drag show later this month. Advocated by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), Spectrum WT, an LGBTQ+ student organization, along with two of its leaders, filed a federal lawsuit last April against West Texas A&M University and President Walter Wendler, alleging infringement of their First Amendment rights. The initial lawsuit contends that Wendler and the university violated the group’s rights by prohibiting a drag performance in March 2023, intended to support The Trevor Project, which offers aid to LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide.

In September, a district court rejected the group’s request for an injunction. Although an appeal was lodged, oral arguments are not slated until April, potentially causing Spectrum WT to miss another planned performance.

FIRE asserted that the student drag show constitutes protected speech and criticized the university president for allowing his personal religious beliefs to unduly influence his decision to prohibit the drag show on campus. FIRE stated in a release announcing the urgent appeal, “Whether it’s a passionate political speech, a Bible study, or a drag performance, the First Amendment safeguards student organizations from public university administrators seeking to suppress speech merely because it may offend them.” The organization criticized West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler’s actions, noting his refusal to allow Spectrum WT’s PG-13 drag show, designed to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention, stating, “‘West Texas A&M will not host a drag show,’ and indicating disregard for the apparent legal obligation to permit the event.”

In a blog post outlining his decision, Wendler criticized drag shows as misogynistic and degrading to women. He argued, “Does a drag show preserve a single thread of human dignity? I think not,” suggesting that such performances stereotype women in exaggerated, cartoon-like forms, thereby diminishing womanhood.

Applying the plaintiffs’ free speech argument, Wendler equated students performing a racially offensive show with the concept of ‘blackface.’ He emphasized his opposition to any performance that denigrates others, stating, “I do not support any show, performance, or artistic expression which denigrates others—in this case, women—for any reason.”

While Wendler commended The Trevor Project and its objectives, labeling support for the group as “a good idea,” he advised students to refrain from attending the drag show and instead donate directly to the organization.