Massachusetts public school planned LGBTQ Awareness Day during school hours

A public high school in Massachusetts planned to celebrate LGBTQ+ Awareness Day on Wednesday.

Newton South High School near Boston tasked its Gender and Sexual Awareness Club and Gender Equity Club with planning LGBTQ+ Awareness Day events, according to a report from Parents Defending Education (PDE).

The school allowed teachers to sign up their classes to attend various events in the Lecture Hall throughout the school day. The plan was for LGBTQ-related events during four of the five blocks of the school day. 

During the first block of the day, the school was to hold a panel discussion among teachers and staff who identify as LGBTQ. “An inspiring panel with teachers and staff as they share their experiences as queer educators,” Newton South wrote in its announcement. 

The second block was to be “Queer Jeopardy.” 

“Test your knowledge of LGBTQ+ history and trivia with a Jeopardy game – the winners get candy!” the school’s announcement read. 

Then, during the third block of the school day, the school planned an event titled “How to Converse: A Guide to Respectful Curiosity.” 

“A crash course in respectful and compassionate communication: how to ask questions about LGBTQ+ identity and foster inclusive conversations,” Newton South wrote. 

The fourth block of the day was said to be “The History of Queer Media.” 

“Explore the rich 130-year-long history of queer people in digital media, modern-day trends and phenomena, and our bright future,” the school wrote. 

Participation in these activities was described as optional for students. “Students who may not be ready to engage with this material can be dismissed to canceled class in the auditorium,” the school’s announcement said. 

PDE, the grassroots parental rights in education organization that brought attention to the school’s actions, took issue with the school’s phrasing here. 

“The implication is that if a student does not want to participate it is because they ‘aren’t ready to engage with this material,’” the organization wrote. 

Newton is no stranger to promoting LGBTQ themes in its public schools.  

Indeed, Newton North High School, the Boston suburb’s other public high school, features a sign in its nurse’s office telling students they can have the school nurses hide their transgender identity from their parents. 

“This office is a safe space,” the sign reads, according to PDE. “Please make nurses aware of preferred names/pronouns. Let us know if you would like us to use alternative names/pronouns to your preferred ones when calling home.”