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Stephanie, an alumnus of Pitt, is escorted out as she speaks out during a Pitt trustees meeting which was Chancellor Patrick Gallagher's last board meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland. Stephanie stated the demand of her group, Trans Action Building, and the group of four were escorted out after warning. (Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)
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4 people advocating for transgender rights were escorted out of Pitt's board of trustees meeting

(Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)

4 people advocating for transgender rights were escorted out of Pitt's board of trustees meeting

Four people advocating for transgender rights were escorted out of the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees meeting Friday morning, almost two months after protests erupted across the Oakland campus as students pushed back against a controversial debate about the LGBTQ community.

Friday’s disruption came as Chancellor Patrick Gallagher was speaking on the importance of the university’s community. Partway through his speech a woman who identified herself as a Pitt alum called on the university to increase resources and support systems for transgender and LGBTQ people.

Image DescriptionChancellor Patrick Gallagher receives a round of applause at his last Pitt trustees meeting as chancellor as he walks to the podium on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland. (Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)

“You are out of order,” board chair Douglas Browning said. “May I ask you to cease?”

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The woman continued, causing Mr. Browning to ask her to leave the room. Pitt police were then called to remove protesters from the meeting.

Pro-trans protesters demonstrate as two conservative speakers speak at Pitt’s campus on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Oakland.   People protested conservatives invited to scheduled to speak on University of Pittsburgh campus Tuesday April 18, 2023.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Couple charged in protest during transgender debate at Pitt

In a statement provided by the university, officials said the school “strongly supports the right to protest and the right of free speech under the First Amendment. Complications can arise when protests become disruptive. The university hears the concerns aired at today’s Board of Trustees meeting and will address them offline.”

Image DescriptionPitt alumnus Stephanie, center, reads a list of demands of her group, Trans Action Building after she and others were escorted out of Chancellor Patrick Gallagher's last Pitt trustees board meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland. (Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)

Friday’s incident came after protests broke out April 19 over a debate titled “Should transgenderism be regulated by law?” between Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles and libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo. The debate was largely opposed by students, with more than 11,000 people signing a petition before the debate demanding Pitt cancel it. In response, Pitt stressed its commitment to the First Amendment.

Dozens of protesters attended the event, chanting, yelling, playing drums and cowbells and holding LGBTQ flags.

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First Published: June 23, 2023, 7:33 p.m.
Updated: June 24, 2023, 11:07 a.m.

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Stephanie, an alumnus of Pitt, is escorted out as she speaks out during a Pitt trustees meeting which was Chancellor Patrick Gallagher's last board meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland. Stephanie stated the demand of her group, Trans Action Building, and the group of four were escorted out after warning. (Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)  ((Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette))
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher receives a round of applause at his last Pitt trustees meeting as chancellor as he walks to the podium on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland.  ((Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette))
Pitt alumnus Stephanie, center, reads a list of demands of her group, Trans Action Building after she and others were escorted out of Chancellor Patrick Gallagher's last Pitt trustees board meeting on Friday, June 23, 2023, in Oakland.  ((Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette))
(Benjamin B. Braun/Post-Gazette)
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