Right-wing commentator will give 'Pray the Gay Away' speech at Penn State

[left-of-center2012]

A controversial right-wing personality tied to hate speech against various groups is set to speak on Penn State’s campus next week, drawing widespread condemnation from both the student body and university leaders. The event’s tagline is “Pray the Gay Away” and is hosted by the student group Uncensored America, which was established last year.

Political commentator Milo Yiannopoulos — whom the Anti-Defamation League described as
“a misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, transphobic troll” — will speak Nov. 3 at 101 Thomas Building on “free speech, faith, conversion therapy, hair style, and more,” according to the event’s webpage.

Yiannopoulos, former editor of far-right media outlet Breitbart News, has been no stranger to controversy. He was permanently banned from Twitter in 2016 after referring to Black comedian/actress Leslie Jones as a man and an ape, while orchestrating an abusive campaign against her. He was also banned from Facebook and Instagram a year later after the platforms labeled him “dangerous” for his promotion of hate speech and/or violence.

In a written statement, university officials explained they are opposed to the event but cannot stop it due to the First Amendment.

“(Yiannopoulos’) past presentations on the nation’s college campuses have been antithetical to Penn State’s values, and we share the profound dismay others have already expressed in response to his forthcoming appearance here,” read a joint statement Monday night from three university officials, Steve Dunham, vice president and general counsel; Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs; and Marcus Whitehurst, vice provost for educational equity.

The statement continued: “Yet as offensive and hurtful as Yiannopoulos’ comments have been and are likely to be again, and despite our own abhorrence for such statements and the promotional tactics used, Uncensored America has the undeniable Constitutional right to sponsor this presentation on our campus. The university lacks the right to do anything to stop it.”

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/10/right-wing-commentator-will-give-pray-the-gay-away-speech-at-penn-state-despite-opposition.html

[MineralMan]

1. He is a man who should be serving time, not serving up inflammatory

speech. Penn State students and others should help force him to speak to an empty hall.

[Backseat Driver]

7. Perhaps its also time to set up improved security policies for

all attendees at all student/faculty group guest lecturers - no guns, no cell/satellite phones/cameras; Penn ID presentation required and/or other surveillance measures. Speak into the wind, creep! Your words are being well protected.

*Note: Penn State has indoor masking mandates with indoor personal space exceptions.

[brooklynite]

2. Good.

Is Milo a bigoted idiot? Of course he is. But Universities are places of learning and ESPECIALLY places to be exposed to new ideas and different points of view. They're also an opportunity to express YOUR ideas to people who disagree with you.

In 1980, conservatives at U Penn brought in an extremely conservative, pro-Trump TV commentator. Instead of demanding that he be banned from campus, we took on his arguments in a public form (and at a bar afterwards).

[BannonsLiver]

4. LOL

On quite a roll this week.

[ck4829]

6. The good old days...

When the (Republican) President didn’t have a Divine Right to rule
When Democrats and liberals weren’t all part of a Satanic cabal
When George Soros and other je- globalists weren’t behind everything conservatives didn’t like
When QAnon has yet to be proven right on anything, but that storm is coming any day now… any day now…
When if the President lost the election, they conceded and moved on, and didn’t hark on about a “conspiracy” against them

How times have changed.

[Torchlight]

12. I don't see that as an exchange of ideas

any more than a speaker reciting seven plus seven equals seventy-seven. Idiots can teach, but only by bad example, never by argument.

What you see as an exchange of ideas I see a waste of people's time: not because I disagree with it, but because idiocy is just idiocy, and giving dishonest idiocy a podium and legitimacy does not support better ideas or critical thought. It just wastes the time of people who want to learn instead of yelling simply for the sake of yelling.

[brooklynite]

13. If its a waste of people's time then those people won't go...

I'm not a fan of blocking speech, however stupid, simply because I don't agree with it.

[Torchlight]

16. Asserting the reaction to this is due only to "I disagree with it" very simplistic on your part

And further reduces the actual concern that an abusive tirade, designed only to vilify others at the expense of their gender, race and orientation is, by its very nature, the antithesis of education.

"Lipstick on a pig don't make it kosher."

Luckily for both of us, expressing these ideas will have zero effect on who speaks where and says what.

[bullwinkle428]

19. This guy was "pro-Trump" in 1980?? Wow, that's seriously ahead of the curve!

[harumph]

20. I guess live masturbation might be construed as being exposed

to new ideas. The "marketplace of ideas" schtick. As if.

[ck4829]

21. Hold up, I want to know why right-wing "ideas" are called as such

They are usually just about disenfranching or dehumanizing some group they don’t like.

It’s the same old routine.

Want to do something truly surprising?

Why don’t some of these speakers advocate for masturbation like you said - it actually is healthier than “conversion therapy”

Why not freiwirtschaft (the idea that money should have a limited lifespan)?

They’re not talking about aquatic ape theory or quantum mechanics vs relativity, are they?

We need to stop confusing debate and discussion of ideas with being shocking and disgusting.

[multigraincracker]

3. My question for these types is....

If Eve was made from one of Adams ribs, doesn't that make her a transgender clone?
just asking for a friend

[ck4829]

5. Conversion therapy is as much about freedom of expression as going bankrupt from medical bills

Is a form of economic freedom.

[AllaN01Bear]

8. he aint no pastor. LOVE THY NEIGBOR ,stoopid .

[gratuitous]

9. Bored parent voice: Yes, yes, we're all looking at you, Milo; very edgy

Now run along; Mommy's the dummy this hand and needs to get another glass of medicine.

[BlueIdaho]

10. I guess it's time for another

Milo punch up. Such a smackable face.😡

[PRETZEL]

11. As a Penn State Alum,

it's sad that his sorry ass is disgracing the grounds of a great university.

I totally understand the position of the university though,

Rest assured, there will be many more protesters outside the venue than there will be supporters inside.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

15. Let

Let him pray for Jerry Sandusky.

[PRETZEL]

17. no,

I want him to rot in hell

[BeerBarrelPolka]

18. Ha

I can agree with that!!!

[Mr. Ected]

14. I'm on my knees praying the asshole away from this fellow

Or, alternatively in my sweet little prayer, that he develops taste buds in his asshole.

Either way, I'm good.