A federal judge has ruled that a university in the Texas Panhandle did not violate the constitutional right to free speech when the school's president cancelled a drag show earlier this year.
The ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk on Thursday, stands out among a string of high-profile legal battles over drag shows across the United States. Notably, federal courts have blocked drag show bans in Florida, Montana and Tennessee, and a separate federal judge in Texas blocked a ban from being implemented.Yet in his decision, Kacsmaryk argued that drag shows are "sexualized content" and therefore can be more regulated than other forms of free speech.
Earlier this year, Walter Wendrell, the president of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, located just south of Amarillo, announced in a letter and column laden with religious references that drag performances would not be allowed on campus because, he said, they discriminate against women. He also wrote that such performances were "derisive, divisive and demoralizing misogyny, no matter the stated intent.
Spectrum WT and its two student leaders who filed the lawsuit are represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, a national civil liberties group.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US accuses investment firm, anesthesia company of Texas monopoly schemeBy Mike Scarcella (Reuters) - The Federal Trade Commission on Thursday sued U.S. Anesthesia Partners and a private equity firm in Texas federal court, ...
Read more »
Oklahoma judge arrested in Texas capital, accused of shooting parked cars and causing collisionAn Oklahoma judge was arrested in Austin, Texas, last week after authorities say he opened fire on parked vehicles while out driving, striking at least one of them, and intentionally crashed into a woman's vehicle, telling officers later that she had cut him off.
Read more »
Federal government announces $9 million in funding for climate comfort centresNEW GLASGOW - Comfort centres across the country will see $9 million in funding after a federal announcement on Sept. 22. Gudie Hutchings, Minister of ...
Read more »
Federal government announces $9 million in funding for climate comfort centresNEW GLASGOW - Comfort centres across the country will see $9 million in funding after a federal announcement on Sept. 22. Gudie Hutchings, Minister of ...
Read more »
Federal Fiona recovery fund providing $9 million for community comfort centresFederal Minister of Rural Economic Development Gudie Hutchings says the funds can be used to equip 'climate comfort centres' with generators, satellite phones, blankets and cots.
Read more »