Opposing transgender viewpoints face off during events at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza

Scott Broden and Seyna Clark, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
·4 min read
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The transgender issue attracted about 500 people Saturday from two groups gathered in downtown Murfreesboro.

The Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally began at 2 p.m. at Civic Plaza with speakers labeling the transgender group as "cult" members who were "grooming" children. Some of the speeches resembled a worship service with prayer, sermons and biblical scripture.

Aiden Pratt, 15, a supporter of the Rainbow Rutherford and BoroPride groups shouts at a woman with the Teens Against Transgender Mutilation on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Gay right supporters are upset the city approved a permit the group to have its rally.
Aiden Pratt, 15, a supporter of the Rainbow Rutherford and BoroPride groups shouts at a woman with the Teens Against Transgender Mutilation on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Gay right supporters are upset the city approved a permit the group to have its rally.

The counter protesters responded with banging drums, a whirring siren, blowing into a whistle sounds, dancing and shouting in an attempt to drown out the rally's speeches. A line of masked rally supporters wearing "Proud Boys" shirts and even a baseball helmet stared down the counter demonstrators.

Murfreesboro Police Department officers positioned themselves between the two groups to keep the peace. The officers arrived Saturday morning at the plaza and on top of the adjoining Murfreesboro City Hall. Police also provided a separation between the library entrance and the rally area on the plaza. Department officials prior to the event confirmed officers would be present to protect people and property at the events. One officer estimated that about 500 people were present.

Police gear for library securityMurfreesboro OKs rally against transgender care

Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally was sponsored by Turning Point USA/Faith. The speakers included Cloe Cole. She has expressed regret nationally about experiencing the surgery, pain and damage of past transgender procedures and the process to restore being female.

Mya Conrad speaks during the Teens Against Transgender Mutilation rally on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Mya Conrad speaks during the Teens Against Transgender Mutilation rally on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Transgender supporters bang drums, dance blow whistles and shout in attempts to drown out speakers at the Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
Transgender supporters bang drums, dance blow whistles and shout in attempts to drown out speakers at the Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

The speakers raised their voices to be heard while a supporter carried a long pole displaying the American and Christian flags.

Many of the counter protesters carried rainbow flags and signs with various messages:

"Trans Rights."

"Being trans is not a choice. Oppressing trans people is."

About 90 minutes prior, about 35 gathered in a meeting room at Linebaugh Library for the Rainbow Rutherford's Trans Life Q&A at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The group's goal was to provide facts in response to misinformation being spread.

A line of Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally supporters face countering demonstrators by transgender supporters at a Civic Plaza area on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
A line of Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally supporters face countering demonstrators by transgender supporters at a Civic Plaza area on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.
Supporters of Teens Against Transgender Mutilation pray during a rally on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Supporters of Teens Against Transgender Mutilation pray during a rally on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

More:'There are real human lives at stake': Trans Life Q&A event counters Saturday rally

Counter protesters stand up for family and friends

Among the counter protesters was Aiden Pratt, a 15-year-old from Lebanon who came with a note from a parent giving him permission to speak.

Aiden Pratt shows off sign he carried in support of transgender people as one of the many counter protesters Saturday (Jan. 28, 2022) during a Teens Against Gender Gender Mutilation Rally in downtown Murfreesboro.
Aiden Pratt shows off sign he carried in support of transgender people as one of the many counter protesters Saturday (Jan. 28, 2022) during a Teens Against Gender Gender Mutilation Rally in downtown Murfreesboro.

"I have a friend who is transgender and attempted to take their own life," said Pratt, who paused to wipe tears. "They can't get the health care they needed, and we are here today to show that we will stand up for these unheard voices."

Fellow counter protester Kristen Bean wanted to defend people from what the rally speakers had to say.

"I wanted to stand up for my friends and my family and for my brothers and sisters," Bean said.

BoroPride supporters speak up:Murfreesboro pride group says they're 'about love and acceptance,' amid controversy

About 35 gather in a meeting room at Linebaugh Library for the Rutherford Rainbow's Trans Life Q&A on Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 2023. The group's goal was to provide facts in response to misinformation being spread by the Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally later in the afternoon on Civic Plaza in Murfreesboro.
About 35 gather in a meeting room at Linebaugh Library for the Rutherford Rainbow's Trans Life Q&A on Saturday morning, Jan. 28, 2023. The group's goal was to provide facts in response to misinformation being spread by the Teens Against Gender Mutilation Rally later in the afternoon on Civic Plaza in Murfreesboro.

Trans Life Q&A seeks facts to counter misinformation

Although the rally was loud, the Trans Life Q&A with speaker Ray Holloman maintained a calm, upbeat presence in the booked room at the library.

"Trans people are being attacked from so many different areas," Holloman said. "We've been attacked in the legislature with all the bills for trans youth, and now we have the anti drag bills that are coming out that really impact trans people just trying to live their lives."

Trans Life Q&A organizer Shae Crowell was pleased with the event.

“It felt good to hear solid information and data about trans life in Tennessee," Crowell said. "Ray Holloman was fantastic and was able to answer many questions."

Delaney "DFITZ" Fitzhugh attended the Trans Life Q&A and joined the counter protesters to oppose at the rally.

"It is very important that we're here to counter protest this hate in our town because Murfreesboro is a town that loves," DFITZ said. "We've had such a beautiful growth in human rights since the civil rights movement, since Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and since Marsha P. Johnson at Stonewall helped lead a beautiful movement for trans rights and LGBTQI+ rights as a whole."

DFITZ mentioned how nearly half of queer youth were contemplating suicide last year, according to The Trevor Project, “for simply being who they are.”

The LGBTQI+ people want love and acceptance.

"We've cultivated a beautiful garden that we absolutely intend to see growing and to continue to grow," DFITZ said. "And we will not allow the boots of fascists to step on our flower beds because what we have growing is beautiful. It is not the 1950s. It is 2023."

More:Murfreesboro OKs rally against transgender care; police gear for library security

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Opposing transgender viewpoints face off during events at Murfreesboro Civic Plaza