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.
“You are out of order,” board chair Douglas Browning said. “May I ask you to cease?”
The woman continued, causing Mr. Browning to ask her to leave the room. Pitt police were then called to remove protesters from the meeting.
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.”
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.
First Published: June 23, 2023, 7:33 p.m.
Updated: June 24, 2023, 11:07 a.m.