Scholars claim criticizing transgender people is linked to deaths
Former William “Lia” Thomas teammate Paula Scanlan's speech promotes “inhumane and cruel” views, according to a letter signed by Franklin & Marshall College affiliates.
The letter, signed by more than 125 professors, administrators and staff, criticizes the speech scheduled for Wednesday and organized by the campus Young Americans for Freedom and the national Young America's Foundation.
Scan field (photographed) at the University of Pennsylvania and swam with Thomas, a man who identifies as a woman and is critical of gender ideology in sports.
“We write to affirm the worth and dignity of members of our community. Transgender lives matter.” The letter from the University of Pennsylvania affiliate is written in bold letters.
“Consequently, the undersigned faculty and staff of Franklin & Marshall College unequivocally condemn the choice to invite transphobic speaker Paula Scanlan to our campus on March 27th, close to Transgender Day of Visibility. .”
They don't want the speech canceled, but they want the administration to condemn it.
“Scanlan is currently on the college speaking tour, collaborating with a well-funded far-right ‘culture war’ machine seeking to sow division, spark backlash, spark public interest, and undermine public trust in higher education.” .
Signatories include two associate deans, Jessica Haile and Nadia Mann, and Kathy Babb, interim associate director for Greek life.
Scanlan's rhetoric could lead to death, the letter argues, as other criticisms of transgenderism have done before.
The letter states:
Based on this evidence, we believe that the goal of her college tour was not civil, academic discussion of ideas. We claim that its content is inhumane and cruel. We are therefore deeply concerned about the impact this talk will have on our community, especially transgender and non-binary students.
Our community has lost many valuable LGBTQ+ members over the years, and in recent weeks we have lost a beloved transgender student, writer, and activist. We mourn with the families, friends, and allies most affected during this painful time. We also acknowledge the extensive and growing evidence that shows a direct correlation between the anti-trans rhetoric spread by Scanlan and others and the violence committed against transgender people. There is a causal relationship between temporal and institutional transphobia and transgender deaths.
None of the evidence cited appears to support the “causal” claim.
Rather, they are citing activist groups such as the ACLU to present their opinions. Another source describes the death of Nex Benedict, an Oklahoma student who identified as “non-binary” who started a fight in a high school bathroom and later died of a drug overdose.
The letter concludes with another accusation of “dehumanization.”
“We believe that our role as a university community must include speaking out against such dehumanization,” the letter states. “To the queer, transgender, and non-binary members of our community, you have allies on this campus who value and support you. We promise to fight alongside you.”
The university also reportedly banned streaming of YAF's speeches, according to a post on the national organization's website.
more: Athletes have sued the NCAA to prevent men from competing against men in women's sports.
Image: Matt Walsh/X
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