UI Young Americans for Freedom to host ‘detransitioner’ at IMU

Chloe Cole will speak at the Iowa Memorial Union’s Black Box Theater on Oct. 16.

Liam Halawith, Senior News and Politics Editor

September 19, 2023

A podium sits in the Iowa Memorial Union during a lecture organized by the University of Iowa Chapter of YAF for Matt Walsh’s “What Is a Woman?” documentary on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Prior to the lecture, progressive students called for the lecture to be suspended because of Walsh’s transphobic remarks and organized protests.

The University of Iowa chapter of Young Americans for Freedom will host Chloe Cole, a 19-year-old “detransitioner,” in the Iowa Memorial Union in October.

The conservative student group previously brought right-wing commentator Matt Walsh in April and campaign manager for former President Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway, in 2022.

Walsh’s appearance at the IMU sparked a large protest with hundreds of UI students and community members gathering in opposition to Walsh’s anti-transgender views.

The event will take place at the Black Box Theatre on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.

Cole has become popular among conservatives for her stark anti-trans views and her criticism of “gender ideology,” specifically in opposition to gender-affirming care for minors.

Cole’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, has accumulated over 193,000 followers.

About the Contributors

Liam Halawith, Politics Editor

he/him/his

Liam Halawith is a third-year student at the University of Iowa studying Journalism and Mass Communication and minoring in Public Policy. Before his role as Politics Editor Liam was a politics reporter for the DI. Outside of the DI Liam has interned at the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Southeast Iowa Union. This is his second year working for the DI.

Ayrton Breckenridge, Managing Visuals Editor

(he/him/his)

Ayrton Breckenridge is the Managing Visuals Editor at The Daily Iowan. He is a senior at the University of Iowa majoring in journalism and cinema. This is his fourth year working for the DI.