Texas LGBTQ+ rights ban measures are rapidly expanding, with new legislation targeting gender-affirming care and public drag performances. A recently proposed bill seeks to eliminate essential healthcare for transgender individuals, while Texas A&M University has banned drag shows in compliance with former President Donald Trump’s directive. These moves highlight a broader nationwide trend of escalating restrictions on LGBTQ+ communities.
Texas LGBTQ+ Rights Ban: Gender-Affirming Care Under Attack
On February 26, Texas House Republican Brent Money introduced a bill designed to completely outlaw gender-affirming healthcare for both minors and adults. The Texas LGBTQ+ rights ban seeks to amend state law to prohibit hormone therapy, gender-reassignment surgeries, and other medical interventions associated with transitioning.
Under the proposed legislation, procedures such as vasectomies, hysterectomies, metoidioplasties, phalloplasties, and vaginoplasties would be entirely banned if performed for gender-affirmation purposes. Medical professionals who prescribe puberty blockers or hormone treatments like estrogen and testosterone could face severe legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.
Gender-affirming care for minors in Texas has already been illegal since September 1, 2023, following the passage of a Senate bill restricting medical care for individuals under 18. Money, an outspoken opponent of transgender rights, has previously supported policies that would bar transgender people from teaching in public schools, claiming gender is strictly binary.
Texas LGBTQ+ Rights Ban: Drag Shows Prohibited at Texas A&M
In another move against LGBTQ+ expression, the Texas A&M University System’s Board of Regents recently passed a resolution banning drag performances across all 11 universities under its jurisdiction. The board justified the decision by asserting that drag shows conflict with the institution’s “core values” and could potentially violate a January 20 executive order from Donald Trump, which prohibits federal funding from supporting what his administration calls the “promotion of gender ideology.”
This resolution effectively canceled Draggieland, a popular annual drag event at Texas A&M’s Rudder Theater, originally scheduled for March 27, 2025. The Queer Empowerment Council at Texas A&M condemned the ban, emphasizing that drag is a significant form of artistic and personal expression that fosters inclusivity and celebrates diversity. The organization now plans to hold the event at an alternative venue.
The prohibition of drag performances at Texas A&M is part of a broader trend of restrictions on LGBTQ+ representation in educational institutions. Last year, Texas Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) led to the closure of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at public universities, further limiting LGBTQ+ resources on campuses. In 2023, the president of West Texas A&M University banned a drag performance, prompting a lawsuit that ultimately failed to overturn the decision.
The Wider Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Rights in Texas
The Texas LGBTQ+ rights ban on gender-affirming care and drag performances is part of a wider political assault on LGBTQ+ rights in Texas and beyond. According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 456 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced nationwide in 2025 alone, following 533 in 2024 and 510 in 2023. Texas has been at the forefront of this movement, introducing 59 anti-LGBTQ+ bills since the beginning of 2025.
These bills extend beyond medical and artistic restrictions. Some seek to ban transgender athletes from participating in school sports, prohibit teachers from acknowledging a student’s gender transition, and eliminate funding for DEI initiatives. Such policies align with a growing national movement attempting to roll back rights and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Impact of the Texas LGBTQ+ Rights Ban on the Community
For the LGBTQ+ community in Texas, these legislative actions represent a significant regression in civil rights and personal freedoms. Banning gender-affirming healthcare will not only impact transgender individuals’ ability to transition but could also lead to severe mental health consequences. Studies have consistently shown that access to gender-affirming care reduces depression and suicide risk among transgender people.
Similarly, the suppression of drag shows at Texas A&M and other institutions stifles artistic expression and erases a historically significant form of performance. Drag has roots dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, as well as the Elizabethan era, where male actors played female roles on stage. In modern times, drag has been celebrated as a powerful medium for exploring and challenging gender norms. The Human Rights Campaign describes drag as a form of performance art that critiques gender inequalities and envisions a future where individuals can freely express themselves.
Beyond legislative and institutional bans, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has fueled real-world violence. In recent years, anti-drag protests have escalated, with some turning violent, including the firebombing of a Tulsa donut shop that previously hosted a drag event. The restrictions in Texas contribute to a climate of fear and marginalization for LGBTQ+ individuals.
What’s Next for LGBTQ+ Advocacy?
The Texas LGBTQ+ rights ban—through the prohibition of gender-affirming care and drag performances—marks an alarming trend of government overreach into personal freedoms. These measures not only threaten the well-being of transgender individuals but also suppress artistic and cultural expression. As the state continues to introduce restrictive policies, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies remain committed to fighting for equal rights and representation.
With more than 450 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in 2025 alone, the battle for LGBTQ+ rights is far from over. Advocacy groups urge continued resistance against these discriminatory measures and emphasize the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the face of legislative attacks.
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