COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Draggieland, Aggieland's biggest drag event of the year, is returning for its fifth annual installment. Draggieland gives drag performers from the Bryan College Station area a chance to show off their talent and become Texas's next drag superstar. The event is held yearly on the campus of Texas A&M University. The sell-out show regularly hosts famous faces in the world of Texas drag, like Alyssa Edwards and Mo Heart, and has received glowing reviews in The Best of Aggieland Mag, The Houston Chronicle, OutSmart Magazine, The Daily Beast, and Inside Higher Ed.
Back in August of 2021, the future of Draggieland became uncertain after Texas A&M pulled funding and branding from the popular event, forcing organization leaders to take sole control over the event. Despite the setback, the event was able to find new funding and went on to showcase its signature show in April 2022.
The Draggieland controversy would turn out to be a foreshadowing of more pushback to come. Just a year later in March 2023, West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler fell under fire after canceling a student-led drag show just days before it was scheduled to take place. Wender released a letter blasting drag shows, calling them stereotypes of women that discriminate against womanhood, going as far as to compare the performances to blackface. In response, a group of LGBTQ+ students filed a lawsuit against the Texas A&M University System, Chancellor John Sharp, and the system's board of regents for violating their freedom of speech.
In September 2023, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmarky ruled that the university did not violate student’s freedom of speech.
During Texas's 88th legislative session, Senate Bill 17 was passed and went into effect in January 2024. SB 17 prohibits Texas Universities from having any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. As a result of SB 17, the Texas A&M Pride Center has been officially rebranded. Other offices, including the Women’s Health Center, have also been rebranded or absorbed into other departments.
Thanks to students in the Queer Empowerment Council (QEC) many of the former Pride Center Program were able to be saved. The Queer Empowerment Council is a newly formed council of LGBTQ+ student organizations. They aim to work together to support the LGBTQ+ students and affiliated organizations at Texas A&M.
QEC was formed after LGBTQ+ organization leaders at Texas A&M came together to keep Draggieland alive after its cancellation in 2022.
According to a Draggieland press release, QEC has taken over a number of the Pride Center’s flagship events, such as The Coming Out Monologues, Lavender Graduation, and Pride Mentors. Programs focused on providing a safe space for queer students and staff. These programs also help to increase community knowledge and promote networking.
Despite pushback from both Texas A&M University Systems and state law, Draggieland is determined to push on. This year the six drag artists performing in the show are Shelby Fine, Hannah Santanna, Lily Adonis Kline, Kitty Kontour, Bella Donna Fables, and Devean Lee. This year's theme is “Alice in Wonderland”. The event will take place on March 28, 2024, at Rudder Theater. You can purchase your tickets here.
If you would like to donate to QEC to keep events like Draggieland alive, you can by clicking here. Please note that this platform supports donations up to $249 due to restrictions on credit card donations for Texas A&M student organizations. Larger donations can be taken through checks addressed to the following: Queer Empowerment Council 1236 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-1236. If your company may match your donation, you will have to go through the same process as larger donations. Please do not hesitate to reach out to finances@draggieland.com with any questions about donations.
If you plan to attend Draggieland this year Draggieland leaders have noted that the show is intended for 18+ audiences, so viewer discretion is advised.
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