Right-wing commentator will give 'Pray the Gay Away' speech at Penn State
A controversial right-wing personality tied to hate speech against various groups is set to speak on Penn State’s campus next week, drawing widespread condemnation from both the student body and university leaders. The event’s tagline is “Pray the Gay Away” and is hosted by the student group Uncensored America, which was established last year.
Political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos — whom the Anti-Defamation League described as
“a misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, transphobic troll” — will speak Nov. 3 at 101 Thomas Building on “free speech, faith, conversion therapy, hair style, and more,” according to the event’s webpage.
Yiannopoulos, former editor of far-right media outlet Breitbart News, has been no stranger to controversy. He was permanently banned from Twitter in 2016 after referring to Black comedian/actress Leslie Jones as a man and an ape, while orchestrating an abusive campaign against her. He was also banned from Facebook and Instagram a year later after the platforms labeled him “dangerous” for his promotion of hate speech and/or violence.
In a written statement, university officials explained they are opposed to the event but cannot stop it due to the First Amendment.
“(Yiannopoulos’) past presentations on the nation’s college campuses have been antithetical to Penn State’s values, and we share the profound dismay others have already expressed in response to his forthcoming appearance here,” read a joint statement Monday night from three university officials, Steve Dunham, vice president and general counsel; Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs; and Marcus Whitehurst, vice provost for educational equity.
The statement continued: “Yet as offensive and hurtful as Yiannopoulos’ comments have been and are likely to be again, and despite our own abhorrence for such statements and the promotional tactics used, Uncensored America has the undeniable Constitutional right to sponsor this presentation on our campus. The university lacks the right to do anything to stop it.”
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/10/right-wing-commentator-will-give-pray-the-gay-away-speech-at-penn-state-despite-opposition.html
