Prager University Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, recently made headlines with its “takeover” ad on X, as part of a $1 million marketing campaign aimed at promoting the controversial documentary “Detrans: The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care.” This 21-minute film sheds light on the experiences of two individuals who have detransitioned, sparking a larger debate about transition-related care for minors. Republican state legislators in 22 states have been passing laws restricting such care over the past three years.
PragerU’s presence on X reflects the platform’s shift toward promoting more conservative viewpoints following Elon Musk’s ownership. Musk removed policies that previously prohibited ads promoting anti-LGBTQ views and reinstated accounts suspended for anti-LGBTQ harassment. The “Detrans” ad takeover made the film the first thing users saw on X for the day.
Craig Strazzeri, PragerU’s chief marketing officer, stated, “This will give millions of people the opportunity to hear important stories from detransitioners themselves, many of whom have been censored and even ostracized because their lived experiences do not affirm the mainstream media’s narrative.”
However, critics argue that the film misrepresents the experiences of transgender individuals, as it primarily focuses on a small minority who detransitioned. Medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association, support access to care for transgender minors and oppose restrictive laws.
In contrast to X, YouTube rejected PragerU’s ad takeover, highlighting the platform’s differing approach to ad policies. This controversy underscores the ongoing debate about transgender healthcare and the influence of social media platforms in shaping public opinion.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, criticized Musk and X for giving a platform to what she called “hate-filled propaganda,” emphasizing the potential dangers of such content in an already vulnerable transgender community.