Penn State recently scheduled a speech for former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines this Tuesday. She has been quite vocal about her thoughts on transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
University president Neeli Bendapudi released a video addressing the importance of combating “bad speech” with more speeches.
“For centuries, higher education has fought censorship, believing that the best way to combat bad ideas is with better ideas, bad speech with more speech,” Bendapudi said. “We all wish to be on a campus where we are free to express our own beliefs and perspectives. But restricting the speech of one group or individual jeopardizes everyone’s rights because the same laws or regulations used to silence bigots can be used to silence you.”
Shortly after this video was released, Penn State apparently canceled Gaines’ speech.
Gaines called out Penn State on X, formerly known as Twitter. She made it clear that she’s still showing up to Happy Valley.
“No way President of Penn State makes a whole video explaining why public institutions are legally obligated to let ‘bigots’ apparently like me on campus to speak then proceeds to CANCEL my speech tomorrow for real women’s day (X/X),” Gaines wrote on social media. “Have it your way. See ya tomorrow with a soap box and megaphone, Penn State!”
No way President of Penn State makes a whole video explaining why public institutions are legally obligated to let “bigots” apparently like me on campus to speak then proceeds to CANCEL my speech tomorrow for real women’s day (X/X)😭😂
Have it your way. See ya tomorrow with a… pic.twitter.com/vHTPbK6hBZ
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) October 9, 2023
Gaines’ comments about Penn State immediately went viral.
We’ll find out soon enough if Gaines is serious about showing up to Penn State.