JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis was greeted with boos as she made a perceived ‘politically incorrect’ statement during her commencement speech to University of Wyoming graduates on May 14.
Lummis referenced “fundamental scientific truths” such as the existence of two sexes. She didn’t get much further before the crowd began murmuring and then booing the statement. Lummis smiled and paused for a full 12 seconds as her hearing-compromised interpreter signed the discontent from the audience and then waited uncomfortably.
“Even fundamental scientific truths such as the existence of two sexes—male and female—are subject to challenge these days,” Lummis said, appearing to rush this section as if she anticipated pushback from the university audience.
After pausing 10-12 seconds to let the reaction die down, Lummis continued after first stating, “I’m not making a comment on the fact there are people who transition between sexes.”
The university felt compelled to issue a statement the following day.
“On Saturday…[o]ne of our speakers made remarks regarding biological sex that many on campus take issue with. While we respect the right of all to express their views, from students to elected officials, we unequivocally state that UW is an institution that supports and celebrates its diverse communities that collectively make us the wonderful place that we are,” stated UW president Ed Seidel.
A day following the university’s response, Lummis’ office released an apology from the senator, stating, “My reference to the existence of two sexes was intended to highlight the times in which we find ourselves, times in which the metric of biological sex is under debate with potential implications for the shared Wyoming value of equality.”
It’s not the first time the university has had to deal with controversial speakers or their content on campus.
In 2010, the University scrubbed a scheduled address by William Charles Ayers, known for his 1960s radical activism. The controversial speaker eventually filed a lawsuit over the cancellation even as Wyoming lawmakers sought legislation to prevent the university from banning any guest speakers.
In 2017, right-wing conservative speaker Dennis Prager was greeted with pushback during and following his address on campus, prompting a statement from the university.
“We do not worry about having controversial speakers on UW’s campus,” said communications director Chad Baldwin. “Of course, each presents a unique set of circumstances. There are certainly more provocative speakers than Mr. [Dennis] Prager.”
