The College Fix

Students can listen to teachers’ ‘experiences as queer educators’

A Massachusetts high school hosted events such as “Queer Jeopardy” and “The History of Queer Media” during its “LGBTQ+ Awareness Day” this past Wednesday.

Thanks to the efforts of Boston-adjacent Newton South High School’s Gender and Sexual Awareness and Gender Equity Clubs, teachers could take students to an “inspiring” teacher/staff panel where participants shared their “experiences as queer educators,” according to a school newsletter obtained by Parents Defending Education.

There also was the discussion “How to Converse: A Guide to Respectful Curiosity,” described as a “crash course” in “how to ask questions about LGBTQ+ identity and foster inclusive conversations.”

At the day’s “Queer Jeopardy” event, contestants could “test [their] knowledge of LGBTQ+ history and trivia” (and win candy if victorious!), and then “explore the 130-year-long history of queer people in digital media”(!) along with “modern-day trends and phenomena” in “The History of Queer Media” session.

The Lion reports teachers were permitted to “sign up their classes” for the sessions which took up four of the five blocks that comprise the school day.

The newsletter noted — rather oddly — that student participation was voluntary: “Students who may not be ready to engage with this material can be dismissed to cancelled class in the auditorium” (emphasis added).

Shortly after Libs of TikTok highlighted the story on X, Newton Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin (pictured) deleted her personal account on the platform.

Last month, an elementary school in the district celebrated “Transgender Awareness Week” — but in this case students were not allowed to opt out.

According to The Daily Signal, the Angiers Elementary recognition, which “help[ed] raise the visibility about transgender people and address issues members of the community face,” qualified as instruction on “sexual orientation or gender identity,” and as such was mandatory.

“While parents/guardians/caregivers may opt out of the health curriculum specifically related to sexual reproduction, our commitment to gender and sexuality education remains firm,” a school board document states. “Our curriculum aligns with state guidelines to promote understanding and inclusion of diverse identities and
orientations.”

In addition, at Newton North, the district’s other high school, the nurse’s office has a sign which reads “This office is a safe space. 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.”

Another sign in a hallway near the school’s pool reads “Respect Their/Zir/Her/His Identity.”

MORE: Cops called after Newton teacher receives note with ‘All Lives Matter’ stickers

IMAGES: Jon Michael Raasch, Libs of TikTok/X

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