A talk on gender ideology at the University of Washington, hosted by Turning Point USA and the Leadership Institute, was disrupted by protesters, ultimately leading to its cancellation. Free speech advocate Olivia Krolczyk was scheduled to present "Protect Women from Men: The Threat of the Trans Agenda" at Thomson Hall when activists triggered a fire alarm and broke a window, forcing an evacuation.

According to the university's student newspaper, The Daily, a small rally organized by Students for a Democratic Society grew to over 150 protesters, who then disrupted the event. Reports indicate they banged on windows, threw a noisemaker inside, and pulled a fire alarm, causing confusion and the evacuation of the building, although no fire was present.

An Intersex-inclusive Pride Progress flag alongside a Transgender Pride flag (Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)

University spokesperson Victor Balta stated that the university supports free speech and had been in contact with event organizers weeks prior to discuss security. However, he noted the student group changed plans regarding attendee registration, which may have contributed to the disruption. Balta condemned the vandalism and stated that those responsible would face consequences. He also criticized both presenters and disruptors for seemingly seeking to provoke each other for social media content.

Olivia Krolczyk is an ambassador for the Leadership Institute’s Riley Gaines Center. 

Krolczyk, an ambassador for the Leadership Institute’s Riley Gaines Center, expressed gratitude for the university police's protection, who escorted her from the building dressed in police gear for her safety. She emphasized her commitment to free speech and her desire to return to the university for a productive discussion in the future. She also highlighted the importance of upholding diverse viewpoints, even those that challenge prevailing opinions.

A protesting student told The Daily that the demonstration aimed to celebrate the trans community and oppose transphobia on campus. Krolczyk shared her intention to discuss women's sports and free speech, referencing a recent executive order by President Trump regarding free speech on college campuses.

Krolczyk expressed her willingness to provide video footage of the protesters to the university to aid in identifying those responsible for the disruption.