How do you fight censorship? With flair, with glitter and with guts! In response to the legislative censorship of literature and drag performance, the Creative Writing department—with the support of ADM, LGBTeQuity, and KIND Clinic—put on DRAG THE BAN this June, bringing together some of Austin’s premier drag performers—Alexander the Great, Channing Ate’Em, Bridgette Bandit, Selma Bawdy—to read works of banned literature!
There were tears, there was laughter, there were new connections made in the community. The seats were filled, hearts were at times enraged and other times warmed—community, students, faculty, staff all standing up for freedom of expression and freedom to tell the authentic stories of existence.
And, because it looks like these freedoms will continue to be threatened, the Creative Writing department plans to hold the annual Banned Books Week Reading in October and hold DRAG THE BAN, again, June ’24!
Support your local drag performers!
Free people read freely!
Photo credit: Dwayne Barnes
