On August 18, a divided Fifth Circuit panel decided the case of Spectrum WT v. Wendler. This case presented a challenge to West Texas A&M University's decision to cancel a drag show on campus. The majority opinion by Judge Southwick, joined by Judge Dennis, found that the cancellation of the drag show violated the First Amendment. Specifically, the panel found the drag show was expressive. And, the majority ruled, "a message in support of LGBT+ rights was intended, which is a far clearer message than some of the examples of art identified in Hurley as protected by the First Amendment." The majority found that Christian Legal Society v. Martinez was not relevant because "expressive association" was not at issue in that case.
Judge Ho dissented. In short, Judge Ho found that if U.C. Hastings was able to exclude the Christian Legal Society, then West Texas A&M could exclude the drag show. His dissent begins:
Spectrum WT claims that it has a First Amendment right to put on a drag show in a public facility at West Texas A&M University. But university officials have determined that drag shows are sexist, for the same reason that blackface performances are racist. And Supreme Court precedent demands that we respect university officials when it comes to regulating student activities to ensure an inclusive educational environment for all. See Christian Legal Society v. Martinez, 561 U.S. 661 (2010). I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision in CLS. But I'm bound to follow it. And I will not apply a different legal standard in this case, just because drag shows enjoy greater favor among cultural elites than the religious activities at issue in CLS.
