Over 150 protesters assembled at the Iowa Memorial Union to protest the Young Americans for Freedom’s lecture speaker Chloe Cole, a person who detransitioned, at the Iowa Memorial Union on Monday. 

Chloe Cole has been a vocal opposition of gender affirming care for adolescents. Following the lecture protesters marched in a circle on the intersection of North Madison Street and West Jefferson Street which blocked all incoming traffic. University of Iowa and Iowa City Police responded to the scene in attempt to open up incoming traffic. 

The protest group then marched from the IMU to the University of Iowa President’s Residence to show their disapproval of allowing an anti-trans speaker on campus. They were met by heavy police presence but ultimately no one was arrested and the protest dispersed.

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Jordan Barry

Brandon Buelow, a member of the Young Americans for Freedom showcases his hat on the Pentacrest before a YAF hosted event in the Iowa Memorial Union’s Blackbox Theater in Iowa City featuring Chloe Cole, a person who detransitioned, on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023. Pro-Transgender activists protested outside the IMU and later blocked the N Madison St. and W Jefferson St. intersection. The protest concluded with protests in front of University of Iowa president Barbara Wilson’s residence on Church St.