2 anti-trans influencers are coming to speak at Cal Poly — and some students aren’t happy

The Cal Poly chapter of Turning Point USA will host two anti-transgender influencers at Cal Poly on Tuesday for a speaking event that has drawn backlash from supporters of trans students.

The event, which aims to “explain what the transgender movement really is,” will feature guest speakers Chloe Cole and Chris Elston, also known as “Billboard Chris.” Cole is a speaker for the Young America’s Foundation and Elston is a speaker for the Leadership Institute, according to the respective organizations’ websites.

The two have been on a speaking tour across the country called “A Dad & A Detransitioner’s Take on the Transgender Movement” and have previously spoken at other schools. Elston is not Cole’s father.

An Instagram post ahead of the event spurred anger from commenters, many of whom asked why Cal Poly was allowing the event to take place on campus.

“This is so incredibly disappointing that Cal Poly allows such hateful events on campus. Do better,” one commenter said.

“I’m absolutely disgusted that our school would allow such an event to happen on our campus,” said another.

Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier said that event is not being put on by Cal Poly, but rather an independent student club that’s using campus facilities.

“As a matter of policy, clubs have the freedom to present speakers of their choosing and are permitted to use university facilities to do so,” Lazier said.

As to the particular topic, he said the university can’t restrict speech on campus.

“We understand why some people are upset about particular guest speakers at Cal Poly, but it is not the university’s role to decide who can and cannot express their viewpoints on campus,” Lazier said.

He said the university is “monitoring the dialogue around the event” and “Cal Poly police officers and other university staff will be present Dec. 5 to monitor and maintain public safety.”

Lazier added that all trans students “are valued members of our community and the university does not support language or ideas intended to divide our university or undermine our ideals.”

On Friday, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk posted to X, formerly twitter, with a call to action for his followers after Cal Poly Professor Maya Hislop sent an email out about the event to her class. Hislop informed her class of the upcoming event and said that the event “will be spreading lies about the trans community.”

Kirk told his followers to “show up” to Cal Poly.

The event isn’t the first time Cal Poly has taken heat over controversial speakers visiting campus.

Alt-right firebrand Milo Yiannoppoulos sparked large protests and a heavy police presence when he visited the campus twice in 2017 and 2018.

In response to next week’s event, a group of students and SLO community members who wished to remain anonymous said in a statement to the Tribune that they will hold a “queer joy dance protest” outside of the debate, starting at 6 p.m..

“While the event is framed as a debate,” the group added. “We hold that trans rights are not up for debate.”

Turning Point USA did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment.

The event will be held in Building 33, in room 286, at 7 p.m.