Action needed ‘to prevent further emotional and psychological damage’
A group of New Mexico legislators was none too pleased that conservative pundit Matt Walsh spoke at New Mexico State University this past April.
In a letter to NMSU Interim President Jay Gouge and the Board of Regents, State Senator Carrie Hamblen and eight officials from various levels of government say that while “there is no disagreement to the right of free speech and to hear diverse points of view,” Walsh’s presence and words made LGBTQ people unsafe.
The legislators claim that the 560 “anti-trans” laws introduced in state legislatures since the beginning of the year “attack the safety and mere existence of trans individuals,” and they cite statistics from the Trevor Project (which The New Guard notes “hosts predator-ridden chat rooms for young children and previously employed the Biden Administration’s notorious luggage thief animal fetishist“) noting that LGBTQ people “consider suicide every 45 seconds.”
The letter also charges that Walsh (pictured) “encourages violence,” “minimizes accusations against known pedophiles and child abusers” and “spouts pro-slavery rhetoric.”
Hamblen (pictured) et. al. say they are “confused” because the university supports “free speech and peaceful assembly” … but at the same time acknowledges “certain speech may have a negative impact on some members of our community.”
This is an admission, they say, that “harm” from “violent speech” will be “inflicted upon a particular group.”
The lawmakers believe a “modification” to the state’s Human Rights Act this year — which “provides a pathway for […] queer individuals to seek justice for discrimination” — means NMSU had a “responsibility to shield” LGBTQ students from the Walsh event.
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The letter concludes:
As you prepare for new students coming in the fall, we would welcome a serious conversation about the rationale for allowing this type of event that would knowingly frighten and harm part of the student population, learn who in the administration supported this, and what policies or actions will be taken in the future to prevent further emotional and psychological damage to some of the most vulnerable in your student population.
The New Guard report notes President Gouge has requested that the campus chapter of the Young Americans for Freedom meet with him and Hamblen. The Young America’s Foundation news outlet also contacted all nine legislators about their letter, but has yet to receive a response.
On X (formerly Twitter), Walsh said that given the legislators’ letter he now wants to return to New Mexico State U. — “just to spite these ridiculous cry bullies.”
According to her campaign bio page, Hamblen is the former head of a local “LGBTQI” support group and Southern New Mexico PRIDE organization. She says one the two “most memorable” moments of her life was meeting President Barak [sic] Obama.
Earlier this year, Hamblen introduced a bill requiring owners of automatic and semi-automatic/ “large capacity” firearms to be at least 21 years of age. According to Bill Track 50, this Second Amendment-limiting bill is now “dead”; in fact, of the 25 total bills sponsored by Hamblen thus far, 19 have been scuttled or vetoed.
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IMAGES: Matt Walsh/YouTube; New Mexico legislature; X
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