The American Theatre and Drama Society strongly supports our queer/trans/of color members, their practice, their pedagogy, and their inherent value as people, even as legislatures across the United States attempt to restrict critical studies of these communities as well as, in some cases, their very existence. In Florida, House Bill 999 targets public colleges and universities; it would defund equity, diversity, and inclusion programs; eliminate majors and areas related to queer studies, gender studies, critical ethnic studies, and intersectionality; and prohibit academics from articulating “American history as contrary to the creation of a new nation based on the universal principles [sic] stated in the Declaration of Independence” in general education core courses. This bill would also erode tenure protections and empower politically appointed boards of trustees to hire faculty, ultimately attacking academic freedom and job security in an already precarious field. In Tennessee, Senate Bill 3 has outlawed adult cabaret performances in front of minors: an effort to bar not only drag shows and plays with cross-dressing, but the presence of trans people in public. At the same time, these states are banning books and banning gender-affirming health care for youths. We cannot frame these anti-trans and anti-critical race theory initiatives as merely isolated phenomena. Similar bills are being written and passed from Texas to South Carolina, as part of a series of violent, autocratic reactions to the Black Lives Matter movement and the gains of queer and trans people toward liberation.

In 2020, ATDS formally endorsed Black Lives Matter, redistributed resources toward Black and Latinx scholar-artist-educators, and initiated anti-racist workshops. Because ATDS is “dedicated to the study of theatre and drama in and of the Americas, its varied histories, traditions, literatures, and performances within its cultural contexts [and] encourages the evolving debate exploring national identities and experiences through research, pedagogy, and practice,” we must reiterate our commitment to anti-racism, assert our dedication to gender inclusion, and continue our investment in the future of academia. In our research, in our classrooms, and on our stages, we should not have to whitewash theatre and performance of the Americas. Many of us bring together sophisticated approaches to race, gender, and sexuality to cultivate fuller understandings of the Americas, their people, and their colonial histories. Our students deserve brave spaces where they can be themselves and learn complex and, at times, uncomfortable lessons.

In moving toward action, we invite ATDS members to share with us how these recent attacks on theatre, artistic expression, individual freedoms, and higher education are affecting you, and what viable suggestions you have for ATDS to help. We will host a listening session over Zoom on Friday, March 24 from 12-1pm Eastern. We are also conducting a short survey to which you can submit your responses by Friday, March 31. If you would like to attend the listening session or fill out the survey,  please email digitalmedia@atds.org for the links. 

Queer/trans/of color members and allies, we affirm you, we value you, and we stand in solidarity with you.

Sincerely,
The ATDS Executive Board