Cleveland State University's president later apologized for failing to "express personal outrage" over the anti-LGBT posters found on campus that he said were protected as free speech.

Cleveland State University is facing backlash after its president defended the posting of hateful posters found on campus that urged LGBT students to kill themselves. Provided to BuzzFeed News

The posters found in the main campus building last week, appeared to be distributed by a group called Fascist Solutions. The image of a man hanging by a rope was accompanied by statistics on LGBT suicides and the message: "Follow your fellow faggots." According to a 2014 study, suicide attempts among trans men was 46% and for trans women it was 42% compared to the 4.6% of the overall US population who reported a lifetime suicide attempt. Ten to 20% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults reported attempting suicide, the study said.

In response to the fliers, Cleveland State president Ronald Berkman said in a statement Monday that while the university respected all individuals, it would protect free speech and uphold the First Amendment "even with regard to controversial issues where opinion is divided." Provided to BuzzFeed News

Berkman's response to the fliers sparked a backlash from many students and LGBT activists. I love that these photos went up at my university Cleveland State University& the President's response was to say "… https://t.co/jRwTH8WPZb Twitter: @SoSayWeAll777

One person called his response a "cowardly endorsement of violence." this isn't upholding of freedom or neutrality @PresBerkman this is cowardly endorsement of violence and there will… https://t.co/I5TVwfy1Zw Twitter: @Pamtre_

Others said the message on the fliers was "beyond hate speech." This is beyond hate speech. This poster literally says "Fascist Solutions." The way @CLE_State responded is absolut… https://t.co/3jk4MylN3O Twitter: @spookyknafeh

"This is a disgrace and you should be ashamed of your inability to support and protect your students," another said. CSU: this is a disgrace and you should be ashamed of your inability to support and protect your students. Twitter: @smh1589

School officials said that the fliers were only taken down because they did not follow CSU "posting" policies. Since when is Hate Speech and suggesting people commit suicide protected by the 1st Amendment? @CLE_State Twitter: @Cameron__Fisher

The anti-LGBT posters "did not conform with CSU policies and procedures regarding posting and were removed," William Dube, the university's spokesperson, told BuzzFeed News on Wednesday. Dube told WOIO-TV that the posters were removed because they did not get prior approval to be added to the billboard. He said that the Vice President of Student Affairs met with LGBT students on Friday to address their concerns regarding the posters.

People were dismayed by the fact that the posters were only taken down because they did not get prior approval. So apparently, at @CLE_State you can put up a poster like this so long as you get prior approval. Seriously, the on… https://t.co/n1avl8EbM9 Twitter: @sirlthr69

Following the backlash, Berkman issued another statement on Tuesday, saying that he "failed to express my personal outrage" over the poster. However, he doubled down on protecting the posters as free speech. Dear CSU community, please join me for an open meeting tomorrow to discuss a recent incident involving an anti-LGBT… https://t.co/y6BSROtGkK Twitter: @PresBerkman