Draggieland Pageant Goes on After Judge Nixes A&M’s Drag Show Ban

By Shunya Carroll

Reporting Texas

Maria Maria hit each choreographed step like an athlete. Her routine elevated classic New York voguing to a gymnast’s floor routine. The four to the floor pop medley was almost drowned out by the crowd’s cheering. 

This wasn’t a national stadium tour. It was Draggieland.

The biggest drag show in College Station prevailed Thursday over Texas A&M University’s attempt to ban drag performances on campus.

The Feb. 28 ban had been quickly followed by a lawsuit against the A&M System Board of Regents. On Monday, U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, appointed by President Geroge H.W. Bush, ruled that the First Amendment prohibits such a ban by A&M.

“To ban the performance from taking place on campus because it offends some members of the campus community is precisely what the First Amendment prohibits,” Rosenthal ruled.

Attorney Adam Steinbaugh, who argued on behalf of A&M’s Queer Empowerment Council, which organized Draggieland, said the ruling was a victory for First Amendment rights across public universities. 

“The court reaffirmed that state university officials cannot block student expression they claim is offensive,” Steinbaugh said. 

 Six days before the ruling, University of Texas System Board of Regents issued a similar drag ban. 

The ACLU is monitoring 527 anti-LGBT bills across America. Texas leads the nation with 80 anti-LGBT bills currently before the Texas Legislature. 

The fifth annual Draggieland ran like many other Southern beauty pageants. Contestants introduced themselves, answered pageant questions, followed by a talent or performance portion and concluded with the crowning  drag queen.

“Having an event like this can give hope that a student can find community here,” Queer Empowerment Council student president Sophia Ahmed told the Draggieland audience. 

 Drag subverts norms through presenting as a different gender. Exaggerated features, makeup, body suit padding and costumes are often handmade by the performer. Showrunner Angelo Rios challenged the A&M Board of Regents’ statements that drag was “inconsistent with the system’s mission and core values of its universities, including the value of respect for others.”

“(Drag) isn’t here to hurt anyone,” Rios said. “We’re here to put on a show that makes people laugh, happy and feel good.”

The 18+ show was met with group prayer outside of Rudder theater, according to a report by the Battalion, A&M’s student newspaper. Biological and agricultural engineering junior, John Leary led the prayer. 

“Regardless of the court ruling, we are not in favor of Draggieland,” Leary told the Battalion. “However, we still love all those who are there. We will be praying for you, not attacking you.”

Draggieland MC Melaka Mystica did not address the protest group, but said she always has time to address misunderstandings about drag.

“I’m loud for the people who can’t be loud,” she said. 

In the finale of the show, judges tallied up scores and announced the top two queens, Maria Maria and Natasha Nova, would face off in a lip synch battle for the crown. The two channeled the steadfast energy of “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten. The crowd rooted for their favorite contestant along triumphant lyrics. 

Like a small boat on the ocean
Sending big waves into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

After nearly four hours of glitter, costume changes and vogueing – the judges, hosts, showrunners and contestants presided over crowning Maria Maria the 2025 Queen of Draggieland. 

“Drag is art, drag is love and that is the message we spread,” shouted Maria Maria, who is from Houston. “Kindness is the thing that makes the world go round, so keep spreading that kindness.”