US EditionFifth Circuit Blocks West Texas A&M Drag-Show Ban
The Fifth Circuit ruled drag shows are protected expressive conduct and blocked enforcement of the ban, allowing Spectrum WT to resume events amid ongoing legal challenges.
- On Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit blocked West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler from enforcing his drag show ban, finding the performances likely protected under the First Amendment.
- In a dean's affidavit, an official said the event "perpetuated derogatory & sexual stereotypes" and was "incompatible with, and destructive to, the University's mission of promoting diversity."
- Applying First Amendment doctrine, the Fifth Circuit found the content-based ban on drag shows in Legacy Hall unconstitutional, deeming drag performances protected expressive conduct.
- JT Morris of FIRE said the ruling halted unconstitutional censorship and allowed Spectrum WT to host drag shows while its lawsuit proceeds.
- Beyond this dispute, the ruling offers protections for public university students, as judges noted plaintiffs’ risk of irreparable harm, safeguarding campus expression.
35 Articles
35 Articles
The Advocate
Gay Pride - LGBT & Queer VoicesWest Texas A&M University's drag show ban blocked by appeals court
West Texas A&M University's drag show ban has finally been blocked by an appeals court after a two years-long legal battle. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned a district court ruling on Monday, finding that university president Walter Wendler's unilateral cancellation of a campus drag show hosted by LGBTQ+ student organization Spectrum WT to raise money for suicide prevention was unconstitutional. “Because theatrical perf…
5th Circuit overturns drag ban at West Texas University - Dallas Voice
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked West Texas A&M University President Walter Wendler from enforcing his ban on drag shows on the school’s campus in Canyon, Texas, ruling that the shows are most likely protected under the First Amendment, according to reports by The Texas Tribune. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling overturns a lower court decision allowing Wendler to keep the ban in place. The battle over drag on the campus started back in M…
Federal Appeals Court Strikes Down Drag Show Ban At West Texas A&M - Worthy Christian News
by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff (Worthy News) – A federal appeals court on Monday overturned a ban on student-run drag shows at West Texas A&M University, ruling that the school’s president violated students’ constitutional rights to free expression. In a 2-1 decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said President Walter Wendler acted unconstitutionally when he canceled Spectrum WT’s charity drag performa…
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