Following a performance by a drag queen dressed as a Franciscan friar, Tennessee Tech University has stated it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the show.
A video of the performance posted on social media drew sharp criticism for mocking the Catholic faith.
"All students, faculty, and staff deserve care and consideration, as well as representation and respect," said Phil Oldham, the school's president, in a statement released Thursday evening. "The investigation is focused on the inappropriate involvement of minors and a review of our policies and procedures."
The video shows the drag queen dancing suggestively to the pop song "Take Me to Church" by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier and making the sign of the cross before removing a brown cape to reveal a corset-like outfit underneath.
The show took place at the campus's Backdoor Playhouse during an event titled "DRAG at the Backdoor," sponsored by the Upper Cumberland Pride group.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, a nonprofit Catholic civil rights advocacy organization, criticized the show, calling it "indefensible." In a letter to Oldham, he said the performer should be disinvited from the theater's next drag show, scheduled for September 24.
Backstage Playhouse describes itself as an organization that encourages "creativity, critical thinking, excellence, and professionalism through the integration of classes, productions, workshops, and other activities," Donohue wrote in his letter to Oldham, citing a description of the group on the university's website. "Why, then, would it be the site of an anti-Catholic event?"
Oldham acknowledged that the show was offensive.
"I am troubled and dismayed by the activities in a video circulating on social media of a recent event on the Tennessee Tech campus," Oldham said in his statement.
"I do not believe the activities in the video represent the values of Tech, and I do not tolerate explicit activities where minors are present. I am also offended by disparaging mockery of any religious group," he continued.
"To be clear, this was not a university-sponsored event. No university funds were used. Two registered student groups facilitated the planning and promotion of the event. While registered student organizations have the ability to reserve spaces on campus, programming must not include obscene, lascivious, or explicit activities," he added.
Donohue praised Oldham for his response.
"Kudos to Tennessee Tech University President Philip Oldham for taking a strong stand against an anti-Catholic event that took place on his campus," Donohue said in a statement posted on the Catholic League's website.
"President Oldham acted responsibly, which is why I am pulling back. But Catholics should know what we were about to do," he added, referring to his call to government officials.
The Sponsoring Group Responds
Donohue's letter to Oldham identifies the drag queen as Joshua Lancaster, under the stage name WitchCrafted.
In response to a request for comment, Lancaster, who hosts a podcast called Witch Crafted, declined to confirm he was the performer seen in the video. He emailed CNA a statement released Friday by Upper Cumberland Pride, the group sponsoring the show.
"The accusations being made on social media are not only false but harmful to all involved. We hope to resolve this misunderstanding with the university and continue to educate the community about our organization and the LGBTQIA+ community," the statement reads.
"The performer in question never presented themselves as a member of the clergy and did not speak out against a religion, including Christianity. The performer also wore multiple layers of clothing and was covered in fabric from neck to toe, even after the costume change," the statement continues.
"At our family-friendly events, no child is put in a sexual situation, and we would never consider that an acceptable thing," the group added.
"When we host all-ages events, we ask performers to ensure song lyrics are clean and that there is no sexual connotation in their performances. We want everyone in attendance to feel safe, welcome, and to have a good time," the statement adds.
"While the statement from TTU President Phil Oldham is disheartening, UCP stands by the performers and their performances at the Back Door Playhouse," the statement adds.
Upper Cumberland Pride states on its website that it "unites lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied communities to support the inclusion, dignity, and equality of all people."
Backdoor Playhouse posted a statement on its Facebook page Friday morning following the release of Oldham's statement.
"#Pride is not something we do one month a year. It is part of our core principles here at Backdoor Playhouse. It is our culture and our identity. It is us!" the post reads. "To all our LGBTQ+ friends: We love you! We see you! We stand with you!"
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On its web page, the group's artistic director, Mark Harry Creter, states that the group seeks "to understand theatre not only as a means of artistic expression and a form of entertainment, but also as a window into history, a means of examining the question of what it means to be human, and a vehicle for social change."
Neither Creter, a Tennessee Tech theater professor, nor a university spokesperson were immediately available for comment on Saturday.
Tennessee Tech is located in Cookeville, Tennessee, and has approximately 10,000 students.
This article was originally published in English by Catholic World Report (Article Link). It is republished and translated with the author's permission.