Transphobic extremist Matt Walsh promoted by college Republicans as an “LGBTQIA+ author”

Two years ago, transphobic far right-wing commentator Matt Walsh published an anti-trans screed in the form of a children’s book called Johnny the Walrus, which Amazon mischaracterized as an “LGBTQ+” title and, fortuitously for Walsh, rose to the top of the bookseller’s LGBTQ+ chart.

Now a group of college conservatives at the University of Kentucky are slyly promoting Walsh as a best-selling “LGBTQIA+ author” for an upcoming screening of the transphobe’s cringe-inducing, anti-trans movie manifesto What Is a Woman?, trolling members of that school’s queer community with an invitation to the event plastered with rainbow flags and exclamation points.

Related:

Rightwing Turning Point USA activists injure queer professor who they accused of grooming children

They were angry that he works with a drag story hour organization, so they confronted him on-camera at his job.

“FREE event on October 17th! You won’t want to miss out on this! Come hear from pro-woman, LGBTQIA+ author and independent filmmaker, Matt Walsh, and ask him your questions! Link in the bio!”

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No doubt Walsh will think it’s hilarious that his college hosts are implying the smug otter is gay in pursuit of ticket sales to a potential pool of queer kids unaware of the self-described “theocratic fascist’s” true identity.

Walsh’s sponsor for the screening is the University of Kentucky chapter of Young America’s Foundation, a college-based organization dedicated to promoting conservative values on college campuses.

The University of Kentucky chapter of Young America’s Foundation is funded by the T.J. Lewis Foundation, established by Christian nationalists Tom and Jan Lewis to “impact youth through Christian education, support civic minded causes in our community, strengthen America, and build God’s kingdom.” Other recipients of the couple’s largesse include Turning Point USA, Pager U, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Heritage Foundation.

Walsh is one of a group of right-wing, one-time conservative influencers available for hire through the Young American’s Foundation speaker’s bureau, including failed presidential candidate and former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, conservative game show host Ben Stein, and fired U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The University of Kentucky did their best to keep Walsh’s appearance at arm’s length, explaining, “As with any student-organized event, this event is not sponsored by UK and does not represent the views of the institution.”

They added, “Our work to uphold free speech rights and our commitment to fostering belonging depend upon each other. Both are core values, essential to who we are as a community.”

The “free speech” and “belonging” paradigm fell on deaf ears.

“Fascism has no place in America or American schools,” read one response to the school’s post on X . “Matt Walsh has repeatedly called himself a theocratic fascist. To platform a fascist is to condone fascism and the spread of fascism. You have brought shame to your University and your country. Who are you going to platform next? David Duke? Vladimir Putin? You don’t get to hide behind a half-assed disclaimer.”

Wrote another: “Isn’t Matt Walsh transphobic?? yall literally made this up.”

That comment earned a taunting response from Young America’s Foundation: “Looking forward to seeing you there! Link in the bio!”

“You won’t!! 🤗🤗” came the reply.