"Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was well known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance prior to being fatally shot at a speaking event in Utah, including calling trans people a "throbbing middle finger to God". Known for his gun rights advocacy as well as his anti-LGBTQ+ views, Kirk, 31, was holding one of his 'Prove Me Wrong' debate events - where students are invited to challenge his political opinions - at Utah Valley University on Wednesday (10 September) when he was killed."
"In a video seen by PinkNews, Kirk was surrounded by audience members on the campus as he discussed trans shooters and mass shootings - an increasingly prevalent conservative talking point - when a loud gunshot rang out and he jolted back in his chair, blood pouring from his neck. Kirk was transported to hospital but later died of his injury. The shooter remains at large, with police describing the incident as a "targeted" attack on Kirk."
"Charlie Kirk has said more negative, disparaging and misinformed things about the LGBTQ+ community - namely trans folks - over the years than we can report here in full, but here are some key controversies. Kirk described the LGBTQ+ community as an "agenda" and "groomers" - ye olde conservative dogwhistles - and labelled trans peoples as "freaks" and used the slur "tr***y" on countless occasions. He also said being gay was a "lifestyle" and called for violence against trans folks."
Charlie Kirk repeatedly promoted anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, using slurs and calling trans people an "agenda", "groomers", "freaks" and a "throbbing middle finger to God". He publicly advocated violence against transgender individuals and at times evoked lynching-era rhetoric. Kirk, 31, led Turning Point USA and hosted 'Prove Me Wrong' debate events where students challenged his views. A video shows him surrounded by audience members discussing trans shooters and mass shootings when a gunshot struck his neck. He was taken to hospital and later died. Police describe the incident as a targeted attack and the shooter remains at large.
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
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