CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Wednesday night, a large group of UVA students protested on Grounds during an appearance by who some call an anti-trans journalist. She was there speaking to conservative organizations. Among the topics: gender identity.

More than a hundred students stood outside the event holding signs and chanting. It came during an event hosted by the conservative Young Americans for Freedom group and the Jefferson Council featuring Abigail Shrier, a writer for the Wall Street Journal. She was there to discuss gender ideology and free speech.

Shrier authored a book titled “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters.” In it she lists statistics and tells stories from American families to show that the country has become familiar with a “transgender craze.” She says it has nothing to do with real gender identity and everything to do with culture.

Students protested outside the forum where she was speaking, claiming her book to be factually incorrect. Among the protestors was UVA student Claudia Hunn, who joined the group in their efforts to oppose Shrier’s views. She says there needs to be more respect for the trans community.

"Simply respecting individuals, using their preferred name and pronouns, and respecting who they are is a fundamental way to make a difference in the community. Even just having one affirmative adult in their life can decrease the risk of suicide by 40%," she says.

Hunn says if everyone worried less about marginalized communities that have no effect on them, then people would not have to deal with an uproar of differences of opinions.

During the protest, students came forward to share their experiences to shed light on the prevalence of certain behaviors and the need for change.