University of Washington – Olivia Krolczyk

Summary

On January 21, 2025, a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter event featuring Olivia Krolczyk, a former University of Cincinnati volleyball player who had spoken publicly about women’s sports and transgender participation in athletics, was canceled after protesters disrupted the event venue. The event, titled “Protect Women from Men: The Threat of the Trans Agenda,” was scheduled to address transgender participation in women’s sports and related issues. Protesters gathered outside the venue and disrupted the event after attendees entered the building. A fire alarm was activated, causing the building to be evacuated. When attendees returned, protesters continued to disrupt the event, including by banging on doors and breaking a window. A noisemaking device was also thrown into the building. University police eventually escorted Krolczyk and attendees from the building, and the event was canceled before Krolczyk delivered her presentation.

In the weeks that followed, the University of Washington stated that the event had been canceled by its organizers and that police had worked with TPUSA in advance on security arrangements. The university also stated that individuals who broke the window or damaged university property could face consequences if identified. On February 11, Krolczyk filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights concerning the January event. The complaint alleged that the university had failed to respond adequately to conduct that Krolczyk characterized as discrimination based on sex and gender and sought a federal investigation into the university’s handling of the incident. On February 19, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression sent a letter to the university concerning the January 21 event, asserting that the university had failed to prevent protesters from interfering with the event.

A second TPUSA event was held at the University of Washington on May 6, 2025, featuring Krolczyk and Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who had spoken publicly about women’s sports and transgender participation in athletics. The event, titled “The Fight Is Far From Over,” followed additional security planning by the university and was attended by approximately 60 to 70 people. Protesters demonstrated outside the venue, with chanting and other demonstrations continuing while the event took place. The university reported no known injuries, and the event proceeded without being canceled or interrupted. Security measures included advance registration and additional police and security personnel.

Following the May 6 event, allegations of misconduct by protesters included feces being thrown at attendees and protesters following people to their vehicles and telling them to kill themselves. The university stated that the event itself had proceeded without disruption and that it had not identified conduct that met the legal standard for direct threats.