On December 5th at 6:15 p.m., blue and pink lights shined on the outside wall of the Fisher Science (Bldg 33). A crowd gathered, waving transgender and nonbinary pride flags, holding signs that read “Trans rights are not up for debate” and “My friends deserve to feel welcome here.” Many were waiting to watch the opening act of a Drag show hosted by Cal Poly Drag Club, in direct response to the event occurring inside.
Meanwhile, Fisher Science Rm. 286 slowly filled to capacity as people waited for a guest speaker panel hosted by the Cal Poly chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA). San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Campus Police watched from behind a barricade while pre-registered attendees checked into the event.
The event, called “A Dad and a Detransitioner’s Take on the Transgender Movement” on TPUSA’s Instagram post, featured talks from Chris Elston – also known as “Billboard Chris” – and Chloe Cole. The speakers were followed by a Q&A segment – TPUSA wrote on Instagram that “peaceful debate and disagreement is encouraged.”
