Staff Reports
In the not-so-distant past, drag and cross-dressing were seen as nothing more than comedic punchlines. From 90s sitcoms to movies like “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Juwanna Mann,” dressing in drag was always meant to be a joke. But something has shifted in the last two decades. Drag has moved from the fringes of society to the mainstream, even being celebrated. And now, it has infiltrated prestigious institutions of higher learning, like the University of Notre Dame.
Notre Dame Defends Drag Show, Claims the Display Isn't Counter to Teachings of the Church https://t.co/YshdmlaH97
— The Patriot Project (@patriotproj) October 30, 2023
This Catholic university recently faced backlash for allowing and promoting a drag show on its campus. Titled “What a Drag: Drag on Screen – Variations and Meanings,” the event is set to be a symposium on the history of drag, followed by a performance. But many students are not happy with this “invasion” of their Catholic doctrine. They staged a protest, but their concerns were met with little response.
Notre Dame’s president, Father John Jenkins, defended the event by citing the principle of academic freedom. In an automated email response to student complaints, he stated that the university defends this freedom even when the content is objectionable. The mastermind behind the event, Pam Wojcik, chair of the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre at Notre Dame, seemed to imply that the criticism against drag was tied to Republicans. She questioned if the Church had any opinions on drag and dismissed any notion that it went against Catholic teachings.
But a quick Google search would reveal that the Church does, in fact, have opinions on men dressing as women. Deuteronomy 22:5 clearly states, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” Despite this biblical truth, Wojcik continued to defend drag and claimed that it has a long tradition and does not harm anyone.
While it’s important to acknowledge that not all faculty members at Notre Dame support this drag show, the fact that it is being allowed to take place at a supposed Catholic academic community raises questions about the school’s values. If Notre Dame wants to maintain its reputation as a Catholic institution, it should reconsider its support for events that go against biblical teachings. This drag show debacle is just further evidence that the university has become another far-left bastion masquerading as a place of higher education.
