lecture puts freedom of speech at JMU on center stage

By ASHLYN CAMPBELL The Breeze

After a week of heavy criticism and debates about free speech, conservative political commentator Liz Wheeler hosted a lecture at JMU titled “The Ideology of Transgenderism,” where she spoke about the transgender and LGBTQ+ community, queer theory and the political left.

The event was hosted by the JMU chapter of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF). Prior to the event, YAF faced criticism on social media, with some calling for the event to be shut down and others advocating for Wheeler to exercise free speech. The event was funded in part by the Student Government Association (SGA), with $3,000 in contingency funds.

On Tuesday, SGA passed a resolution condemning YAF, claiming its original presentation misinformed the SGA, and apologizing to the LGBTQ+ community for the role SGA played in funding Liz Wheeler’s lecture.

Despite the divisiveness surrounding Wheeler speaking at JMU, the event occurred with no disruptions although peaceful demonstrations were held in opposition.

Across campus, members of the JMU community gathered in support of the transgender community, called “Dukes for Pride.” Inside the Festival Conference and Student Center, outside of the Highlands room, members of the JMU chapter of Young Democratic-Socialists of America (YDSA) tabled and held signs advocating for transgender rights.

Prior to the doors opening at 5:30 p.m., the line for Wheeler’s lecture stretched outside the doors of Festival.

Senior Jordan Bernard, who was waiting in line at the time of his interview, said he attended the event because his professor was offering extra credit for going to the lecture or the counterprotest. His roommate, he said, was attending the protest, so he decided to attend the event to see “both sides of the coin.” After googling Wheeler, Bernard said he found he disagreed with her, especially on her opinions on the Jan. 6 insurrection and the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Curiosity got the best of me and I kinda wanna see, like, ‘Okay let’s see how wild she’s gonna get,’” Bernard said.

Junior Callie Dickens, also in line, said she had friends who were coming to the event and wanted to see a diversity of ideas. see LIZ WHEELER