As members of the Fort Lewis College community, we expect our campus to reflect the values of inclusion, respect, and safety—especially as a Minority Serving Institution committed to uplifting often silenced voices. Unfortunately, the presence of the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter on our campus has created an environment that undermines these values and threatens the well-being of many students.

Turning Point USA has engaged in actions that directly harm our community. They plan to host a known transphobic activist on Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day meant to honor lives lost to anti-trans violence. They have circulated a petition calling to “bring back gendered bathrooms and normalcy,” a message that invalidates and targets transgender and nonbinary students. Their public rhetoric and on-campus activities consistently spread division, intolerance, and fear among marginalized communities.

At a college where many students identify as Indigenous, students of color, LGBTQ+, or from other underrepresented backgrounds, this harm cannot be ignored. When any group promotes hate or exclusion, it compromises the sense of belonging that Fort Lewis College has pledged to protect.

As a Minority Serving Institution, Fort Lewis College has a responsibility and duty to ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and respected. Failing to address the actions of TPUSA sends a message that harassment and exclusion are acceptable within our campus community.

We are calling on Fort Lewis College to take action that prioritizes student safety and well-being by refusing to recognize the TPUSA chapter as an RSO. This step would reaffirm the college’s commitment to protecting its students, fostering inclusivity, and upholding the values that make Fort Lewis a place where all voices can be heard without fear.

By signing this petition, you are standing for a campus that protects its students from harm, honors its values, and ensures that Fort Lewis College remains a welcoming environment for everyone.