Anti-transgender speaker causes controversy at Washburn

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Washburn University President Jerry Farley said he does not support the message an anti-transgender speaker is scheduled to deliver at the university on Thursday.  The speaker, Michael Knowles, will give a speech titled “Banning Transgenderism” on Thursday, hosted by the school’s College Republicans group. Thursday is International Transgender Day of Visibility. Farley said in an email to the campus that he supports free speech rights but Washburn does not condone Knowles’ beliefs. Knowles responded with a tweet challenging Farley to show specific incidents of hate or misinformation in his speeches. A demonstration in support of Washburn’s LGBTQ community is planned before Knowles’ speech.