(The College Fix) — The University of Minnesota’s Recreation and Wellness Center has started offering a “Trans and Queer Strength Group” for LGBTQ students on campus.
The class is hosted by a “certified queer personal trainer,” according to the center’s website, although it does not provide any of their specific certifications.
The center’s “small group training” classes normally start at $75 per person, although the LGBTQ class, which falls under this category, is free of charge.
“This once weekly program aims to support trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming folks as they plan and work towards their strength training goals,” the course description states. “In this group, gendered assumptions are dismantled and the focus is to affirm individuals in any stage of their transition.”
The recreation center’s Communications Office did not respond to The College Fix’s several phone and email inquiries in the past several weeks. The Fix asked about the creation of the class, how the class works, the cost, the personal trainer’s certifications, and how it has been received on campus.
However, a Minnesota based think tank criticized the course and said it aligns with the university’s agenda.
“This is right in line with U of M and kind of what they’re all about,” Bill Walsh, director of communications for the Center of the American Experiment, told The Fix.
“So initial reaction, not surprised,” Walsh said during a phone interview.
He said he thinks the university is trying to divide people.
“I’m sure that everyone is welcome at every class at the U of M,” he said. “So this is just part of that kind of divisiveness, that we’re going to divide people and we’re going to have a separate class for LGBTQ.” He said the “outward divisiveness” is “not necessary” and harmful.
Walsh also criticized the university for only making this class, and not others, free.
“That’s a basic fairness question there. They’re promoting an agenda through making this available for free,” Walsh said.
Others criticized the class in comments to The Fix, also mentioning the cost.
“$75 for me is kind of cost prohibitive to a student,” April Chapman told The Fix on a phone call. “So they are essentially lowering the standard, treating this population with kid gloves, and then placating to the delusion, also, that they can appear loving. But it is the opposite of that, it’s exploitative.”
She is a Christian conservative and ambassador with the National Center for Public Policy Research’s Project 21. The group promotes black conservatism.
Chapman, too, believes that U of M is pushing its own ideology because of the disconnect between the science as it relates to fitness and the transgender ideology.
“This isn’t about fitness, this is more of an ideological push,” Chapman said. “Because biology doesn’t bend to how we feel. It’s when you have observable reality that still matters.”
Chapman said the university is adding to confusion more people are having these days about sex.
“They would rather create something that contributes to the confusion, as opposed to loving these people enough to tell them the truth, even though it’s unpopular,” Chapman said.
This article was originally published by The College Fix and reprinted here with permission.
