Chloe Cole, the detransitioner who has become one of the most prominent critics of pediatric gender medicine, said Tuesday that she was postponing a scheduled speech at the University of Washington after alleged threats made the event too dangerous to proceed.
Cole had been set to appear at UW’s Kane Hall as part of Turning Point USA’s “Pick Up the Mic” initiative. In her statement, Cole described Antifa assembling what she called a local militia to shut down the event and that explicit threats against her life had escalated security risks beyond what organizers and local law enforcement could manage responsibly.
The University of Washington clarified that it was TPUSA’s national organization—not the university—that made the decision to cancel. UW stated it had been actively planning security for the event, but emphasized this distinction without addressing Cole’s account of the threats.
Cole, who underwent hormone treatments and a double mastectomy by age 15 before detransitioning, has spoken nationally about the dangers of irreversible medical procedures for minors. A recent transgender student was murdered near the University of Washington in the Seattle area, an incident TPUSA’s local chapter condemned as “horrific and senseless.” However, organizers noted some activists attempted to falsely link the tragedy to Cole’s event.
Cole confirmed she would return to UW and other campuses later, stating that threats had made this particular appearance unfeasible but signaling her commitment to continuing the dialogue. She described detransitioners being targeted because their experiences challenge prevailing gender ideologies.
