Democrat lawmaker urges University of Pittsburgh to cancel three 'anti-trans' ... trends now
A freedom of speech row has erupted after a Pennsylvania lawmaker demanded three speakers be canceled from a university event for purporting anti-transgender views.
State representative La'Tasha Mayes raised concerns about an event at the University of Pittsburgh which will give a platform to swimmer Riley Gaines - who was beaten by trans athlete Lia Thomas last year - journalist Cabot Phillips and political commenter Michael Knowles.
Critics interpreted Mayes's remarks to be a thinly-veiled threat to remove funding from the university if it did not comply.
Nearly 11,000 students at the university have signed a petition demanding the appearances of Gaines, Phillips and Knowles be canceled.
The petition called the speakers an 'attack on trans bodies and humanity.'
State representative La'Tasha Mayes raised concerns about upcoming events at the University of Pittsburgh which will give a platform to speakers who have purported anti-transgender views
During a tense appropriations hearing on university funding, Mayes said: 'It has come to my attention that three speakers who have crossed the line of free speech over into hate speech targeting transgender students and the transgender community, they're coming to campus beginning this Friday.
'One of them saying essentially that Transgender people should be eradicated.
'Chancellor you're allowing them to come onto campus. How does this keep transgender people safe?
'How does this keep LGBTQ+ students safe at my Alma Mater and how does this align with the values at the University of Pittsburgh and its commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity?'
Gaines, 23, has repeatedly spoken out over the inclusion of trans women in sports after she was beaten by Lia Thomas during the NCAA championships last year. She appeared at the Conservative Political Action Conference this year.
Thomas had spent three years competing as a male swimmer before transitioning in her final year only to break records as a woman.
Gaines took objection not only to Thomas's unfair advantage, having been born a man, but also claimed it made her feel uncomfortable in the locker room.
Canceled: the University of Pittsburgh is under pressure to cancel an appearance from Riley Gaines who has spoken out repeatedly about transgender women competing in
