RICHARDSON, Texas — Two weeks after President-Elect Donald Trump won the presidential election, the University of Texas at Dallas is hosting the Executive Vice President of the controversial right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation Wednesday to unpack it.
Derrick Morgan, a UTD alumnus, oversees several departments at the foundation, including policy. One of the more controversial policies authored by the Heritage Foundation is Project 2025. According to the Heritage Foundation's website, Project 2025 is "restoring this country through the combination of the right policies and well-trained people."
But some are concerned the plan would roll back rights and protections for many, including transgender people, as it calls for agencies to focus enforcement of sex discrimination laws on "the biological binary meaning of 'sex.'" It also states Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should acknowledge there is not enough scientific evidence to support covering gender-affirming care, despite major organizations like the American Medical Association considering it to be medically necessary.
The day Morgan will be speaking at UTD's School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences is also the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. In response to this, the North Texas branch of Democratic Socialists of America will be hosting a protest on campus on the day of the event.
"It has become increasingly clear that UTD does not care for its students, and that it is willing to platform fascism despite calls from students and backlash," DSA North Texas wrote in a statement. "It is despicable that UTD seeks to host a man who calls gender-affirming care "child mutilation" on a day for us to mourn our trans siblings lost to violence."
Held since 1999, Transgender Day of Remembrance is observed to remember those who have been murdered due to transphobia and to draw attention to ongoing violence against transgender people.
In a statement, UT Dallas said Morgan will be speaking as part of the school's event, "Unpacking the Election."
"We recognize that our community is diverse and holds varying viewpoints," the statement reads. "UT Dallas remains committed to fostering an environment that promotes civil discourse, and we encourage our students to respectfully engage with those who hold different perspectives."
UT Dallas said Morgan is not being paid to speak.
