New York law student faces expulsion for “aggressive pointing” at trans students as Prop 1 panel descends into chaos

A Pace University law student claims he faces expulsion after he was accused of “aggressively” pointing and misrepresenting a transgender student when a recent panel discussion about women’s sports descended into utter chaos.

Houston Porter, 28, is embroiled in a sex discrimination investigation and faces a disciplinary hearing over the alleged saga that erupted Oct. 15 at Pace Law School in White Plains, N.Y., the Free reported Press.

Porter said the so-called incident “exploded” while he was co-hosting a panel discussion called “Saving Women's Sports” in which he protested the Empire State's controversial Proposition 1 ballot measure, which aims to restrict gender identity codify.

Critics claim the vague language protecting gender identity opens the door for biological men who identify as transgender to compete against women in sports and would allow teenagers to undergo gender reassignment surgery without parental consent.

According to the third-year law student, dozens of students and faculty — including many wearing trans pride pins — had packed the room and were heading out when the floor was opened to questions.

“I had a lot of people in my face,” Porter recalled of the moment he saw his classmates and acquaintances jump up to yell at him.

“I felt like I was going to be overwhelmed.”

Porter, who vigorously denies the discrimination allegations against him, insists what unfolded next was a “misunderstanding” and a “misrepresentation of the facts” that could destroy his life.

“There was so much noise, several people talking at once, so maybe someone in the crowd heard me say 'sir' or call a person 'a man' if they didn't identify themselves as that,” Porter said.

“But I didn’t say anything to that effect to the alleged person. Although I said “sorry” to them and stood up, I never made a gesture to anyone.”

A week after the ordeal, Porter — a member of the conservative Federalist Society — said he was “shocked” to receive an email informing him that he was the subject of a Title IX investigation after the Trans -Student had filed an official complaint.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding.

According to Porter, the charge against him is based on his “pointing aggressively at the student” and “intentionally referring to her as a man in front of classmates, law school faculty and administrators, and guests.”

KC Johnson, a history professor at Brooklyn College who specializes in Title IX disciplinary procedures, said he was concerned that the law was being “used as a weapon.”

“Smart students realize they can use the Title IX bureaucracy to punish opponents on campus or simply people they don’t like,” Johnson told the Free Press.

“Instead of solving problems through dialogue or saying, 'Hey, you're an idiot,' it's become, 'I'm going to use the power of the school against you.' ”

Now Porter fears the investigation could lead to him being expelled or suspended — and even banned from practicing law in the future, since the bar exam requires applicants to disclose disciplinary actions taken against them.

“Any type of punishment will be extremely damaging to my reputation and professional career,” Porter told the outlet.

“It feels like my whole world is collapsing. I feel like everything I’ve been working towards could be destroyed by one misunderstanding.”

Porter said he knew the Prop 1 issue was “sensitive” but was initially “excited” that his LBGTQ colleagues would join the discussion with their opposing views.

“It's really scary that the future generation of lawyers who are supposed to hear both sides before making a decision are essentially condemning me without hearing my side of the matter,” Porter said.

“It makes us all better lawyers when we understand what the other side is saying, even though we may disagree.”

A spokesperson for Pace University did not comment on the investigation or the charges Porter faces.

“We are aware of the matter in question, are speaking to the individuals involved and are following our internal process,” the spokesman said.

They added that Pace “respects different perspectives and encourages expression” but “does not tolerate harassment or intimidation when the parties disagree.”