Eventbrite, the live-events management company most recently embroiled in controversy for censoring detransitioner Chloe Cole, is once again under fire. This time, the company’s target is Independent Women’s Forum ambassador Riley Gaines.
Gaines received an email on October 26 from the company, notifying her that her upcoming speech at the University of California, Davis—Protecting Women’s Sports—was prohibited from promotion on the event site.
Gaines was told that her speech violated Eventbrite’s Community Guidelines and Terms and Conditions, specifically by promoting “content or events that—through on- or off-platform activity—discriminate against, harass, disparage, threaten, incite violence against, or otherwise target individuals or groups based on their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, or disability.”
As Gaines pointed out on Twitter, “Newsflash: being a woman and advocating for such isn’t a hate crime.” Her event was subsequently unpublished from the platform, amidst outrage from the public.
I love all the people in my comments saying they’ve deleted their Eventbrite account. Give ’em the Bud Light treatment
🚨Newsflash: being a woman and advocating for such isn’t a hate crime.🚨 pic.twitter.com/EQmh2JbcF1
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) October 26, 2023
Much of the backlash centered on Eventbrite removing Gaines’ event while continuing to promote pro-Hamas events on its platform. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin called for the public to stop using Eventbrite, saying on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, “The fact that, first of all, Eventbrite continues to carry events around Hamas is unbelievable. But then, on top of that, to proactively terminate an event with Riley is beyond belief.
“As governor, I’ve told our political committee that we will no longer use Eventbrite, and the governor’s office is no longer using Eventbrite. And I would ask your listeners: do not respond or RSVP to an invitation from Eventbrite. Just stop using ’em,” Youngkin said. He took to Twitter to ensure there was no doubt of his stance on the issue.
My political committee and official office will no longer be using @eventbrite. There’s no place to sit on the fence when it comes to the barbaric attack by the Hamas terrorists on Israel. pic.twitter.com/59AtOgaMy4
— Glenn Youngkin (@GlennYoungkin) October 30, 2023
Following massive social media backlash, the pro-Hamas event listings were removed from Eventbrite, with no explanation offered. No comment or explanation was offered about erasing Riley Gaines’ speech.
Gaines is no stranger to pressure from woke universities and corporations. In October, Penn State University canceled Gaines’ “Real Women’s Day” speech planned for October 10, or X/X.
Eventbite has a history of censoring hosts and events that do not follow mainstream agendas, particularly events that conflict with the transgender movement. Most recently, the company removed an event hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, featuring Chloe Cole. In July, the company erased “Let Women Speak Austin,” which advocated for the protection of women’s privacy in “bathrooms, dressing rooms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and dormitories.”
