Michigan university to host 5 separate graduation 'celebrations' based on race, sexual orientation



A university in Michigan has decided to host five separate, identity-based graduation "celebrations" in addition to its regular commencement ceremonies to celebrate the school's supposed "diverse identities and cultures."

Grand Valley State University, located in Allendale, Michigan, just a few miles west of Grand Rapids, now offers a graduation celebration for students who identify as Asian, Black, Latino/a/x, Native American, or "LGBTQIA+."

LGBTQIA+ students, or ostensibly students who identify as any sexual orientation other than heterosexual, may attend what has been dubbed the "Lavender Graduation." At this celebration, the Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center will award one such GVSU student with the Outstanding LGBTQIA+ Graduate Award, given to honor "a member of the LGBTQIA+ community ... who has excelled in leadership and academically during their time at Grand Valley."

The Lavender Graduation will be held in the Pere Marquette room of the Kirkhof Center. The Pere Marquette room appears to be named after Fr. Jacques Marquette, the 17th-century French Jesuit missionary credited with founding at least two Michigan cities, Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace, who spent much of his short life traveling around the Great Lakes region evangelizing various Native American tribes to turn away from sin and toward the good news of the gospel.

The "Lavender" and race-based graduations at GSVU are offered in addition to university commencement ceremonies for the colleges of education, engineering and computer science, interdisciplinary studies, business, health professions, nursing, and liberal arts and sciences. Presumably, as long as there is no time conflict, both undergraduate and graduate students may participate in several graduation ceremonies and celebrations in the same weekend to acknowledge all of their academic accomplishments as well as their racial, gender, or sexual identities.

As Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire notes, however, "straight white people" will enjoy no such identity-based "special celebrations."

Ridiculous. Grand Valley State University (@GVSU) is holding five segregated graduation celebrations, singling out Asian, black, LGBT, Hispanic, and Native American graduates. There will be no special celebrations for straight white people, of course. pic.twitter.com/dnW58IhYg4
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 21, 2023

The university also claims on its website that graduation time provides "an opportunity to offer appreciation to those who were stewards of the land on which our beautiful campus was built, long before most of our ancestors arrived." Though the school's land acknowledgement statement may not necessarily be read during any of the ceremonies, the website still pays homage to "the Three Fires People, who include the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi, on whose ancestral lands we now live and work."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Matt Walsh sends Dem lawmaker into verbal paralysis with one simple question about gender surgeries on minors



Conservative commentator Matt Walsh silenced a Tennessee lawmaker this week with one simple question about transgender surgery for minors.

Speaking at a hearing before the Tennessee House Health Committee about House Bill 1 — which would ban life-altering transgender operations for minors — state Rep. Caleb Hemmer (D) received more than he bargained for when he asked Walsh about something unrelated to the matter before the hearing.

Hemmer asked Walsh about comments he made years ago in which he lamented the delay of adulthood in modern Western society. In those comments, Walsh observed that the state of development now called "adolescence" or the "teenage years" was historically the beginning of adulthood.

"How does that relate to this subject?" Walsh asked.

"Just curious of your definition, if you feel like people are adults at 16 —" Hemmer followed up.

"No. People are adults at 18," Walsh interjected. "But, actually, your brain is not fully developed until you're 25. So, we should be having a conversation about whether we should even be doing the surgeries when people are 18. But, certainly, before 18, it's absurd."

That's when Walsh turned the tables on Hemmer and asked him a question.

"Do you think a 16-year-old can meaningfully consent to having their body parts removed?" Walsh asked. "Do you? No?"

What followed was more than 10 seconds of silence. Hemmer never answered the question. Instead, he appeared to protest to committee chairman Cameron Sexton (R) that Walsh, a witness at the hearing, asked a question.

"Yeah, we ask the questions," Sexton told Walsh, stumbling over his words.

\u201cIn which @mattwalshblog leaves an elected Democrat absolutely speechless with one simple question. This clip is stunning.\u201d
— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1675900213

Another noteworthy exchange from the hearing came when state Rep. John Ray Clemmons (D) asked Walsh for his qualifications for speaking on the issue.

"My background that qualifies me to speak to this is that I'm a human being with a brain and common sense, and I have a soul, and, so, therefore, I think it's a really bad idea to chemically castrate children," Walsh told Clemmons. "Now it's true, I didn’t go to college, but I did go to school long enough to learn how to read, so I could read the data for myself, and that's exactly what I've done."

Clemmons followed up, "And for what purpose do you conduct your research and use this brain of yours?"

"I use it for the purpose of trying to protect children from being castrated and mutilated," Walsh shot back.

\u201cToday I testified at a committee hearing in support of a bill banning child mutilation in Tennessee. A Democrat on the committee asked what qualifies me to speak on the subject. It was a very dumb question but I tried my best to answer it for him.\u201d
— Matt Walsh (@Matt Walsh) 1675898514

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Non-binary elementary teacher says it's enjoyable to confuse students about gender identity: 'Wondering what they're going to do when I have the mustache AND a skirt'



A Louisiana elementary school music teacher is facing backlash from concerned parents after sharing a post on Facebook last month expressing enjoyment over confusing students about gender identity, Fox News Digital reported.

Blaine Banghart, a non-binary teacher at an elementary school in the Caddo Parish district in Shreveport, took to social media to explain how students are confused about the teacher's gender identity. Instead of referring to the educator as Mr. or Ms., students address the music teacher as Mx. Banghart.

On November 7, Banghart wrote on Facebook, "I'm not allowed to tell kids I'm trans or non-binary or that I'm not a girl. I showed up today with a new haircut and presenting much more masc than usual. The kids are all confused and asking why I have a mustache if I'm a girl, if I'm Mr. Banghart now, why am I trying to look like a boy, etc."

"I'm just ignoring questions/redirecting so I don't get in trouble," the teacher continued. "Though some of the reactions are hurtful (I'm not mad- they're kids and don't mean harm), I'm mostly just enjoying all the confusion about 'what' I am. Wondering what they're going to do when I have the mustache AND a skirt later this week lol."

\u201cThis teacher claims that she enjoys causing her students to be confused about her gender identity.\u201d
— \ud83d\udc41 Inside The Classroom (@\ud83d\udc41 Inside The Classroom) 1669522298

A Twitter account called Inside the Classroom shared the teacher's Facebook post and another post by Banghart about using an individual's preferred adjectives.

"I just had a parent ask me my preferred adjectives because she wanted to comment on one of my photos, but she wanted to use words that I liked hearing for myself," Banghart explained in a social media video.

"That's the kind of allyship that I need," the teacher added.

\u201cApparently teacher allyship includes one\u2019s preferred adjectives. I guess @MattWalshBlog was on to something.\u201d
— \ud83d\udc41 Inside The Classroom (@\ud83d\udc41 Inside The Classroom) 1669232530

During a March Caddo Parish School Board meeting, parents discussed concerns about Banghart's attire and behavior at school following a video posted to social media by the teacher. In the video, Banghart expressed frustration regarding the school's restriction on talking to students about identifying as transgender or non-binary.

Keith Hanson, chief technology officer for Shreveport, spoke in Banghart's defense during the meeting.

"I have never spoken here as a citizen or parent of a student, but I am here today because this is important to me, my family and, most importantly, to her," Hanson said, referring to Banghart. "Let everyone see on public record that there are good people here ready to defend other good people from vile, bigoted hate."

Caddo Parish Public Schools did not reply to a request for comment, Fox News Digital reported.

Video: Pathetic left-wing protesters try shutting down Matt Walsh's 'Rally to End Child Mutilation' but have complete meltdowns instead



Matt Walsh's "Rally to End Child Mutilation" attracted an estimated 3,000 people Friday at the Tennessee State Capitol — as well as a small group of foul-mouthed, left-wing protesters who made several pathetic, unsuccessful attempts to shut down the event, according to the Daily Wire.

The large crowd was solidly with Walsh's cause to end medical transgender treatments for children and easily drowned out the protesters.

What are the details?

Twitter videos of the event documented numerous incidents of leftists melting down over the rally's message.

Content warning: Language:

\u201cNASHVILLE: Here at the Capitol antifascist counter-protesters demonstrate their disdain for @MattWalshBlog and #therallytoendchildmutilation | @TPUSA\u201d
— Kalen D\u2019Almeida (@Kalen D\u2019Almeida) 1666384961

Radicals held up signs that read "Nazi lives don't matter" and "fascists f*** off." At one point protesters surrounded some Walsh supporters in the crowd and chanted over a megaphone, "F*** around, you're gonna find out."

One unnamed protester claimed to have taken hormone blockers and attempted to tell attendees that the treatment is life-saving and "completely reversible" if children change their minds. The protester argued that puberty is traumatic for some children, so "gender-affirming" treatment is necessary for minors.

Content warning: Language:

\u201cNASHVILLE: Unhealthy and sickly looking man attempts to convince an elderly woman that hormone blockers are completely harmless. @MattWalshBlog #therallytoendchildmutilation | @TPUSA\u201d
— Kalen D\u2019Almeida (@Kalen D\u2019Almeida) 1666390190

Event speakers included U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Robby and Landon Starbuck, Scott Newgent, and former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who denounced her Democratic party affiliation earlier this month.

Far-left protesters attempted to drown out a speech by de-transitioner Chloe Cole by repeatedly shouting, "F*** you, fascist."

Cole discussed her emotional journey of being born a girl but deciding to transition and undergo a double mastectomy at 18 years — then ultimately de-transitioning. Cole now dedicates her time to speaking out against irreversible gender-mutilating hormone therapies and surgeries on minors.

Some leftists didn't like that very much.

"[Cole] is a fascist, and she doesn't care about other trans youth," one leftist protester told the Daily Wire. "She's using her own experiences to s**t on thousands of others that want to kill themselves because people like this won't let them."

When Matt Walsh walked on stage, radical protesters continued trying to chant and shriek over the rally.

One protester was captured on video calling Walsh "a far-right lunatic propagandist." The protester stated, "If you support anything he f***ing says, you're indoctrinating everyone you know into being a Nazi."

Despite the best efforts of the leftists, the vast majority of the crowd turned up in support of Walsh.

Walsh's stated during his speech that "these people here don't want you to hear what we have to say because they're cowards. They can't engage in the argument. All they could try to do is shut us down and silence us, but it's not going to work. We're still here. We're not going anywhere."

Walsh explained that the purpose of the event was to rally together "to protect our children." He accused the far-left protesters of "victimizing and preying upon kids."

"As Tennesseans, do we believe in castrating children? Do we believe in that? No. Do we believe in drugging and mutilating kids? They believe it — we don't," Walsh said. "Are we going to allow this in our state? Are we going to do what they want us to do, which is to sit back in silence and allow our kids to be victimized?"

He added, "The reason they're acting this way is because they are losing, and they know it. They're losing. And they will continue to lose as long as we continue to fight all across the country."

\u201c.@MattWalshBlog confronts Antifa protesters: "They don't want you to hear what we have to say because they're cowards. They can't engage in the argument. All they could try to do is shut us down and silence us. But it's not going to work...We're not going anywhere."\u201d
— Daily Wire (@Daily Wire) 1666387815

Crazed leftist agitators try (and fail) to stop Houston screening of Matt Walsh's 'What Is a Woman?'



Despite having their event listing removed from Eventbrite earlier this week, the Young Conservatives of Texas at the University of Houston remained determined to host Matt Walsh on Thursday night and screen his "What Is a Woman?" documentary. The film examines the incoherence and perniciousness of leftist gender ideology. Although the conservative student group ultimately prevailed, they first had to deal with the mob of agitators that swarmed the venue, keen on achieving what Eventbrite was unable to do: shutting down the event.

Ahead of the screening, liberals on campus reportedly tore down posters advertising the event, while Antifa and other radical leftist groups disseminated flyers inciting others to mobilize "in protest against virulent transphobe Matt Walsh on Campus."

Echoing accusations made elsewhere, groups like the Space City Anarchist Organization called Walsh, a father of four, a "bigot" and suggested his film is "transphobic."

\u201cOn Thursday, October 13th, University of Houston students are mobilizing in protest against virulent transphobe Matt Walsh on Campus. Join in solidarity with University of Houston students as they stand against transphobia!\n\nPlease share widely!\u201d
— Space City Anarchist Organization (@Space City Anarchist Organization) 1665440872

Accusations of "transphobia" were repeated on Thursday by the transsexuality activists, leftists, and students gathered outside the venue. "Transphobia has go to go" and "trans rights are human rights" figured prominently in their chants, along with accusations of fascism, leveled at those trying to peacefully enter the building.

In June, Rolling Stone magazine similarly contended that "What Is a Woman?" is "transphobic," calling it an "attempt to belittle an already targeted group of people."

According to the Daily Wire, the film's distributor, the chief concerns raised in Walsh's documentary are reportedly:

  • the destruction of women's sports by men claiming to be women;
  • the exploitation of transsexuality claims by sexual offenders to prey upon women;
  • the left's use of censorship to advance a radical agenda, free from critique or analysis;
  • the denigration of women with neologisms like "birthing persons";
  • the left's attack on science with claims such as "having a penis doesn't make one male"; and
  • the mutilation and sterilization of children by bad actors.
\u201cOne of the surgeons in our documentary confesses to having mutilated the genitals of a 16 year old boy. The Left says this isn't happening. They're lying, as always. \n\nFull film premieres tonight at https://t.co/xibkNa4oHW\u201d
— Matt Walsh (@Matt Walsh) 1654103463

Walsh previously indicated that the left "will do whatever they can to make sure no one sees this movie. ... They know their ideology is based on lies and their logic is hollow and premiering the movie to a massive online audience will not only be an utter embarrassment to them but will send a message that they will not win this battle."

In the context of Walsh's broader "battle," Thursday night's screening may have been only a skirmish, but both sides came out in full force.

The line of attendees waiting to watch the documentary was long, stretching down the block.

\u201cHuge turnout for Matt Walsh at @UHouston tonight. So far they\u2019re outnumbering the protesters.\u201d
— Samantha Ketterer (@Samantha Ketterer) 1665702633

While attendees waited in line, members of the Houston Police Department took necessary precautions, anticipating leftist violence of the kind seen at past campus events.

Police removed loose bricks around the venue.

\u201cOutside of @MattWalshBlog\u2019s screening of \u2018What Is A Woman\u2019\u2014\n\nAn Officer with Houston PD just removed bricks from the protesters side of the barrier to prevent any violence.\u201d
— Tayler Hansen (@Tayler Hansen) 1665706412

One masked agitator was apprehended inside the venue by police.

\u201cWATCH: Masked protestor tackled by police at @mattwalshblog's event in Houston\u201d
— YAF (@YAF) 1665705575

Mikel Moore, chapter chairman of the Young Conservatives of Texas, told KRIV that his group thought it important "to continue to bring conservative content, conservative messaging, to the University of Houston."

"This is an opportunity for students and members of the community to get a chance to see the movie, to understand it," said Moore. "We believe this event, too, will ignite conversations around gender, around how we look at the issue, and can lead to some good dialogue."

Masked agitators outside the venue sought to stifle that debate, going so far as trying to prevent attendees from entering the venue.

\u201cWas just forcefully removed by ANTIFA and Protesters outside of @MattWalshBlog\u2019s movie screening as they interlocked their hands and surrounded me. \n\nApparently Media is only acceptable if you support their beliefs.\u201d
— Tayler Hansen (@Tayler Hansen) 1665712077

Despite the efforts of the mob, the venue was packed in time for the event. An estimated 400 people were in attendance.

\u201cDespite all the protests, we have a packed room for @mattwalshblog's screening of #WhatIsAWoman!\u201d
— YAF (@YAF) 1665710426

Outside, protesters and counter-protesters exchanged verbal volleys.

Amid chants advocating transsexuality and condemning the event, some counter-protesters took to prayer. A handful of leftists appeared to shield themselves with umbrellas.

\u201cLeftist protestors use umbrellas to shield themselves from the prayers of @MattWalshBlog supporters.\n\nFootage by TPM\u2019s Beth Baisch @PuffinsPictures\u201d
— The Post Millennial (@The Post Millennial) 1665710840

After the event, Houston police worked to ensure that attendees could safely leave the premises.

\u201cPolice have moved in to clear a path for people exiting the screening of #WhatIsAWoman\u201d
— YAF (@YAF) 1665711562

Here is a trailer for the documentary:

OFFICIAL TRAILER: "WHAT IS A WOMAN?" youtu.be