After federal district judges reached opposite conclusions in two disputes over drag shows within the Texas A&M University System, all 17 judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear both cases Wednesday as they consider whether public universities can bar such performances from campus venues without violating the First Amendment.

How did the two cases get here?

The legal fight began at West Texas A&M University in 2023, when President Walter Wendler canceled a drag show organized by the student group Spectrum WT. Spectrum and two of its student leaders sued, arguing university administrators violated their First Amendment rights.