Protests are expected next week on the University of Iowa campus when a conservative student organization plans to host a lecture from a teenage activist who “vehemently opposes the transition of minors.”
Chloe Cole, 19, is scheduled to give a free lecture in the Iowa Memorial Union from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday about her experience of “detransition" after first embarking on her transgender journey at age 12.
Cole — who has crisscrossed the country testifying in support of laws banning gender-affirming health care for minors, like one recently passed in Iowa — said she took puberty suppressants and cross-sex hormones at 13 and underwent a double mastectomy at15 — before changing her mind at 16.
“Chloe speaks with firsthand authority on the deeply traumatic effects experienced by minors undergoing such treatments,” according to a promotion from the UI lecture host, the Iowa Young Americans for Freedom.
Immediately after that student organization on Sept. 14 began advertising Cole’s talk, its promotions disappeared, according to Jasmyn Jordan, a UI junior and chair of the Iowa Young Americans for Freedom chapter.
“The Young Americans for Freedom chapter received immediate backlash over this event within an hour of announcement, including chalk advertisements being washed away within minutes by groups of students,” Jordan told The Gazette. “Our A-frame poster display was run over and stolen by students, our posters were torn down within hours of being put up.”
A group identifying itself as “Antifa Hawkeye Action” — which reports on social media its aim to protest “right-wing events on campus” — has promoted its own counter-plans for the event with signs that read, “No transphobes on campus.”
Chalking promoting the Chloe Cole event was wiped away, according to organizers. (Provided to The Gazette by UI student Jasmyn Jordan.)
When asked if the university has received complaints from the student group or about the event, UI spokeswoman Jeneane Beck said, “The university routinely works with student groups to ensure they are aware of and follow the policies and procedures related to counter demonstrations, as well as comply with federal, state, and local law.”
Asked about security for the event, she said, “Campus safety will coordinate with internal and external partners to address any safety or security concerns but does not share the specific details for safety reasons.”
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Student organizations, according to UI policy, can invite lecturers, panel participants, discussion leaders and others from off campus to participate in campus events.
“All speakers on campus are afforded the same First Amendment protection enjoyed by the university community,” Beck said, noting that while the university has authority to regulate time, place and manner of free speech, limitations must be “reasonable and not based on viewpoint or content.”
“As with any invited speaker, approval does not equal endorsement,” she said.
Facing a flurry of free speech controversies — inciting criticism from Republican state lawmakers — Iowa’s Board of Regents in 2020 established a free speech committee charged with evaluating the implementation of its free speech policies, assessing best practices across the country and recommending changes.
An updated UI “free speech at Iowa” website now houses all free speech policies and regulations; a UI statement on free speech; and a frequently-asked-question list. To the question of whether a person can “erase or chalk over messaging I find offensive,” the university says, “no.”
Jordan told The Gazette she did file a police report Oct. 2 about the damaged and stolen sign. She also contacted UI administrators, who she said, “indicated that they are in the process of identifying the students, and each involved will be punished.”
“I do not have any concerns regarding the event, because the school has promised appropriate security measures will be in place to guarantee the safety of all those who plan attend,” Jordan said.
Young Americans for Freedom is a conservative campus-oriented organization with contacts on over 2,000 colleges and universities. The Iowa chapter’s work has included a Sept. 11 terror attacks “Never Forget Memorial,“ a ”When Does Life Begin?“ timeline and campus speakers like political commentator Matt Walsh, former Vice President Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway, former counselor to President Donald Trump.
In August, its national board named the UI chapter its 2023 “chapter of the year” — a gave a $10,000 grant — for its “leadership in boldly promoting conservatism on campus.”
www.thegazette.com
Chloe Cole, 19, is scheduled to give a free lecture in the Iowa Memorial Union from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday about her experience of “detransition" after first embarking on her transgender journey at age 12.
Cole — who has crisscrossed the country testifying in support of laws banning gender-affirming health care for minors, like one recently passed in Iowa — said she took puberty suppressants and cross-sex hormones at 13 and underwent a double mastectomy at15 — before changing her mind at 16.
“Chloe speaks with firsthand authority on the deeply traumatic effects experienced by minors undergoing such treatments,” according to a promotion from the UI lecture host, the Iowa Young Americans for Freedom.
Immediately after that student organization on Sept. 14 began advertising Cole’s talk, its promotions disappeared, according to Jasmyn Jordan, a UI junior and chair of the Iowa Young Americans for Freedom chapter.
“The Young Americans for Freedom chapter received immediate backlash over this event within an hour of announcement, including chalk advertisements being washed away within minutes by groups of students,” Jordan told The Gazette. “Our A-frame poster display was run over and stolen by students, our posters were torn down within hours of being put up.”
A group identifying itself as “Antifa Hawkeye Action” — which reports on social media its aim to protest “right-wing events on campus” — has promoted its own counter-plans for the event with signs that read, “No transphobes on campus.”
UI response
When asked if the university has received complaints from the student group or about the event, UI spokeswoman Jeneane Beck said, “The university routinely works with student groups to ensure they are aware of and follow the policies and procedures related to counter demonstrations, as well as comply with federal, state, and local law.”
Asked about security for the event, she said, “Campus safety will coordinate with internal and external partners to address any safety or security concerns but does not share the specific details for safety reasons.”
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Student organizations, according to UI policy, can invite lecturers, panel participants, discussion leaders and others from off campus to participate in campus events.
“All speakers on campus are afforded the same First Amendment protection enjoyed by the university community,” Beck said, noting that while the university has authority to regulate time, place and manner of free speech, limitations must be “reasonable and not based on viewpoint or content.”
“As with any invited speaker, approval does not equal endorsement,” she said.
Free speech concerns
Facing a flurry of free speech controversies — inciting criticism from Republican state lawmakers — Iowa’s Board of Regents in 2020 established a free speech committee charged with evaluating the implementation of its free speech policies, assessing best practices across the country and recommending changes.
An updated UI “free speech at Iowa” website now houses all free speech policies and regulations; a UI statement on free speech; and a frequently-asked-question list. To the question of whether a person can “erase or chalk over messaging I find offensive,” the university says, “no.”
Jordan told The Gazette she did file a police report Oct. 2 about the damaged and stolen sign. She also contacted UI administrators, who she said, “indicated that they are in the process of identifying the students, and each involved will be punished.”
“I do not have any concerns regarding the event, because the school has promised appropriate security measures will be in place to guarantee the safety of all those who plan attend,” Jordan said.
Iowa YAF chapter
Young Americans for Freedom is a conservative campus-oriented organization with contacts on over 2,000 colleges and universities. The Iowa chapter’s work has included a Sept. 11 terror attacks “Never Forget Memorial,“ a ”When Does Life Begin?“ timeline and campus speakers like political commentator Matt Walsh, former Vice President Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway, former counselor to President Donald Trump.
In August, its national board named the UI chapter its 2023 “chapter of the year” — a gave a $10,000 grant — for its “leadership in boldly promoting conservatism on campus.”
Protest planned for ‘detransitioner’ Chloe Cole lecture at UI
Protests are planned on the University of Iowa campus next week, when a conservative student organization plans to host a lecture from a teenage activist who “vehemently opposes the transition of minors.”
www.thegazette.com
