Gender: Who Decides?
A Debate on Transgenderism
Famously, Athens convicted Socrates for the crime of corrupting the youth. Throughout history, governments have cared about what influences their citizens. And for centuries, governments have regulated the actions of their citizens for the common good.
Since America’s founding, however, we have made protecting the individual liberty of citizens a priority. While allowing for some regulation of public morals, the American system emphasizes self-government under law and personal responsibility. Our constitution enshrined the right of freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition into law. It’s clear from our founding documents, in order for America to flourish individuals need to flourish.
But liberty is fragile.
When someone asked, “What have we got? ” about the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin responded, “A republic if you can keep it.” Implying that a free and equal nation can exist only with a moral populace.
What obligation does the US government have to shape the moral character of its people?
Where does free speech end and cultivating a moral citizenry begin?
Currently, there is debate on the nature of gender. Rates of transgenderism are on the rise across the country, especially for younger generations.
Many believe that adults should be able to do what they want with their bodies. That even if you disagree, it is their right. At the same time, others argue that transgenderism is a danger to the moral character of our nation. That it undermines essential truths about human nature and places our culture in danger.
Does the US government have a responsibility to regulate transgenderism? Join us on April 18th at 7:30 pm as Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire and Brad Palumbo of BASEDPolitics debate on these issues.
This Debate is sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and hosted by the Pitt College Republicans. The link to register can be found below.
