HATEFUL: Matt Walsh gives incendiary anti-LGBTQ speech at progressive university

HATEFUL: Matt Walsh gives incendiary anti-LGBTQ speech at progressive university

Right-wing media provocateur Matt Walsh spoke at the New Mexico State University campus on Tuesday evening in what amounted to little more than a transphobic diatribe complete with false narratives and stereotypical tropes.

Pro-LGBTQ protesters gathered outside the Corbett Student Union for several hours chanting “Protect trans youth.”

Walsh made unsubstantiated claims that members of the transgender community equate anti-trans persecution to the Holocaust, a “Holocaust of hurt feelings,” according to the conservative show host.

“The individual trans person is the greatest threat to himself,” Walsh told the audience before being interrupted by a member of the crowd who disagreed with his statement.

“If you could shut the hell up for a second, and let me finish my thought,” Walsh responded.

While the event itself was relatively peaceful, several attendees were escorted out of the venue by security for yelling “F*ck you!” to the controversial speaker.

For nearly an hour, Walsh ran roughshod over facts to push his transphobic agenda and rhetoric, dismissing high suicide rates among transgender individuals as emotional blackmail.

“This is what they do,” Walsh said.

“When they use the term genocide, what they really mean is ‘If you hurt my feelings, I will kill myself, and it’ll be your fault.’ This has proven to be a very effective tactic – but it shouldn’t be.”

Anti-LGBTQ hate is very real, as evidenced daily by reports of anti-transgender bullying and hate that has become all too commonplace, something Walsh dismisses as a reason for high rates of suicide within the community.

“Trans people in modern America are among the most privileged human beings to have ever walked the face of this earth. They are relentlessly celebrated by our major institutions. They are affirmed, applauded, worshipped practically every major corporation – every major agency,” Walsh said.

After opening up the floor for questions, Walsh was caught off guard when confronted by trans members of the audience who questioned the speaker’s one-sided and negative approach when talking about gender-affirming care — leaving out the positive effects on mental health.

When an EMT questioned Walsh about evidence to back up his claims that overwhelming evidence suggests that those in the community regretted receiving gender-affirming care, the conservative host was unable to provide an answer.

Instead, Walsh stumbled.

“I talk to them all the time,” Walsh said. “I know they’re out there, I know they exist.”

While Walsh had supporters in the crowd, those opposed to his bigoted views showed up as well.

The majority of protesters were relegated to outside the venue but some managed to get in.

The Q&A was shut down after just a handful of speakers — with only two speakers agreeing with Walsh’s point of view.

A progressive school with an inclusive campus and thriving LGBTQ community, NMSU perhaps wasn’t the best choice for Walsh to push his brand of anti-transgender hate.

Refusing to be silenced, students from all walks of life showed their support for the community even after the engagement was over.

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

Ty Ross

News journalist for Washington Press and Occupy Democrats.