In yet another example of leftist ideology creeping into the classroom, a public middle school in Oregon held a “Drag Day,” encouraging children to cross-dress —without giving students’ families any advance notice and drawing criticism from some parents who felt that the stunt had crossed the line into political indoctrination.
For context, Arts & Technology Academy, located in the far-left Eugene School District 4J in Oregon, organized a “Pride Spirit Week” loaded with LGBT-themed dress-up days. The district claimed that the events were intended to promote inclusion, encouraging kids to dress up as “drag queens” or their favorite “queer icon.” However, some parents were indignant when they found out that the celebration was already underway after never being formally announced by the district.
Furthermore, as reported by Fox News, this stunt was in violation of Oregon State law, with ORS 336.465 prompting “each school district” in the state to “Give parents, guardians and district residents an opportunity to examine the instructional materials to be used in any class, course, assembly or school-sponsored activity.”
In addition, the state’s laws include specific requirements for parental notice in cases of “any instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus,” with ORS 336.465 adding that parents or guardians must be given “an opportunity to review materials.” Moreover, state laws protect students who refuse “to take or participate in any class, course, assembly, or school-sponsored activity on human sexuality or sexually transmitted infections.”
Adding to the bizarre nature of the incident, a parent with children who attend Arts & Technology Academy told Fox News Digital that the school had sent a notice to parents about “Pride Spirit Week” on Monday afternoon at the end of the school day. According to that parent, the email said that the week would be primarily focused on “the history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.”
In response to the backlash from parents, Fox News reached out to the Eugene School District 4J for comment and received confirmation that parents were indeed notified about “Pride Spirit Week” after the week had already begun. In addition, a district spokesperson reportedly agreed that parents should have been notified earlier, saying that 4J would “work more closely with schools around notice for thematic and spirit weeks.”
In addition, the district spokesperson explained that the activities and lessons that were incorporated into “Pride Spirit Week” were part of the Oregon Department of Education’s “LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan.” For context, LGBTQ2SIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender/non-binary, Queer/Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex and Asexual, with the plus sign symbolizing individuals who do not feel that they fit into any of those categories.
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Explaining the “LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan,” the district spokesperson said that 4J is “deeply committed to fostering inclusive, safe learning spaces— and doing so in partnership with families.” They added, “That means ensuring our communication is clear, our curriculum is aligned, and our students feel like they belong.”
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