Controversy Sparks Over “Pray the Gay Away” Event
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Recent controversy has sparked following the announcement that Milo Yiannopoulos will be speaking at an event at Penn State.
Multiple signs and advertisements were placed around campus in areas like the HUB-Robeson Center with the slogan “Pray the Gay Away.”
“It’s something that I was angry about but I am also incredibly anxious about,” Vicky Post (fourth year- secondary education). “It’s hard to go through day-to-day life knowing that is something that is being approved of near me. It is something that I am paying for someone who doesn’t want me to exist and the people who don’t want me to exist can come support the event.”
Yiannopoulos is a British far-right political speaker who has made comments that belittle different religious, ethnic and social groups. He has also endorsed the concept of conversion therapy.
The commenter was invited on behalf of the student organized group called “Uncensored America.” The event that will take place on Nov. 3 cannot be terminated due to the constitutional rights that each group possesses allowing them to express their opinions.
In response to this event, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity will be holding the “Love is Louder” event within the HUB-Robeson Center at Heritage Hall. This will be open to anyone who does not agree with the appearance of Yiannopoulos.
With the support of other units on campus, the center is extending its weekly meetings to create this larger event. It will feature food, music and drag queens.
“It is really kind of a party in a way that it is a celebration of community,” Sonya Wilmoth (Director of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity) said. “It will have some positive vibes and really look around and be able for students to see the amount of support that they have on campus from the community.”
Kennedy White is a second year majoring in Public Relations. To contact her, email klw5974@psu.edu.
