Free Speech for Me but Not for Thee, ASU professors attack family values, "literally"

The Center for American Institutions at ASU—a tiny program with just two professors—is committing an unspeakable act of scandal. What is this outrageous offense? They are hosting a talk with Mary Rice Hasson, an attorney and policy expert who has spoken at the United Nations on education, women’s rights, caregiving, and gender ideology. She also serves as a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family, Life, and Youth. I mention that it is a tiny center because these two brave professors “literally” keep the radical leftist professors up at night, 2 against 100s (I like those odds).

And why is this so scandalous? Because she holds the radical belief that minors should not be chemically castrated or have healthy body parts removed in the name of gender affirmation. That is, she agrees with the law.

ASU faculty and students wasted no time rushing to their keyboards to denounce this shocking display of extremism. They quickly posted a letter condemning the event, acknowledging that, yes, free speech exists—but arguing that some views are so radical, so beyond the pale, that they do not deserve protection. This talk, they claim, will incite violence against the trans community at ASU.

Physical violence? Well, no. Emotional violence—the kind that occurs when someone dares to disagree. The sort of violence a Christian might feel when a trans activist declares the Bible to be nonsense. Except, of course, in that case, the Christian deserves it.

But emotional violence won’t land. So they “literally” say that their lives are in danger. Here are a few select quotes from this letter—sure to be enshrined in future volumes of Great Moral Essays alongside the finest works of history.

“Harmful rhetoric that perpetuates trans oppression and heterosexism veiled by linguistic moves such as 'protecting the American family' will have damaging effects on our students, staff, and faculty. And we would be remiss to not acknowledge that those most affected by this are those with multiple minoritized identities (e.g., trans women of color, queer and trans people with disabilities).

To be clear, this is not just an ideological conversation. The lives of LGBTQ+ youth and people are literally at stake at this moment in history—as they have been throughout time.”

Their argument goes like this: Speech that incites imminent physical death is not protected. This talk will incite imminent physical death against the trans community. Therefore, this speech is not protected. “Their lives are literally threatened.”

Is that a sound argument? Let’s examine it to see if anyone is threatened with physical death (lives literally at stake).

First, who will be harmed. “those most affected by this are those with multiple minoritized identities (e.g., trans women of color, queer and trans people with disabilities). Makes sense, right?

Second, What is the imminent danger? “The lives of LGBTQ+ youth and people are literally at stake at this moment in history—as they have been throughout time.”

I don’t think that word means what they think it means (literally). Are they actually accusing the Center for American Institutions and Mary Rice Hasson of calling for the physical death of trans people? Because that’s the plain meaning of their sentence. And if so, that sounds an awful lot like a case for libel by Ms. Hasson.

No one at this event—or any event at ASU, for that matter—is literally putting lives at stake. But when disagreement is redefined as violence and criticism as an existential threat, the only speech left standing is the radical leftists who become the official determiners of what speech is acceptable. What is at stake is exposing a gender philosophy that has harmed the lives of millions. Those who profit from it do not wants its falsehood exposed publicly.

It was perfectly acceptable when the John Money disciple declared to God, “You don’t know what you’re doing—but I do. With a little amputation here, a dose of chemical castration there, we can finally get gender right.” Or when the Gender Studies professor reassured a confused young student, “Your parents, your pastor, and the Bible are all wrong. But if you read this book by Kinsey, you’ll finally understand your true identity.”

But take a closer look at the rhetoric in their letter. They declare that they will “fight” and “combat”—”literally” the language of physical aggression. By their own logic, their letter isn’t protected speech; it’s an incitement to imminent violence.

The truth is, Mary Rice Hasson is making an argument—that chemically castrating minors and amputating healthy body parts is neither a good nor healthy solution to gender dysphoria. If that argument is unsound, then refute it. Present a counterargument. Engage in debate. But don’t threaten to fight and combat her. That’s not intellectual discourse—that’s intimidation. Shame on these professors—they have set a terrible example for their students.

It is Ms. Hasson who truly cares for the trans community—as persons who have been misled by Gender Studies professors and the John Money sex philosophy. By presenting a counterargument, she isn’t attacking them; she’s offering a healthier, more truthful path—one that leads to a flourishing life.

She doesn’t even need to invoke her religious beliefs or appeal to God as Creator—her argument stands on its own, backed by studies on gender dysphoria and the long-term consequences of these amputation surgeries. But if religion does come up, she is also demonstrating care for the whole person, including their immortal soul—offering truth to those made in the image of God but led astray by a false philosophy. She is the one “centering their humanity.”

To the signers of this letter: Stop trying to silence free speech. If you disagree, present your counterargument. You all included your names in your letter, although I left them off here (they are readily available online) because my focus is always on ideas and never on a person. I agree that people should not be harassed, but I believe you are the ones doing the harassment.

I will gladly debate any one of these professors—or all of them—at ASU. I will argue that chemical castration and amputations are not a healthy remedy for gender dysphoria at any age and should be illegal for minors. If you believe otherwise, make your case. Let’s have the debate.

Any takers?

No, there won’t be. They are fine calling Christians "bigots” and telling us the Bible should be censored (that “literally” hurts my feelings), but if you disagree with them, they liken it to “literally having their lives at stake.”