Parental rights groups and LGBTQ supporters hold dueling protests in LA

A mass of parents and others wearing “leave our kids alone” t-shirts today were met with a group of rainbow clad LGBTQ+ allies in downtown Los Angeles as the debate over how gender and sexual identity should be taught in school continued to rage.

A coalition of conservative community groups staged a “Parental Rights Rally” and marched from Los Angeles City Hall to the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters several blocks away, demanding that parents be given control over how their children are educated on LGBTQ topics.

Their frustration was directed at the school district — which teaches students to be accepting of all gender and sexual identities — and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has supported bills requiring the teaching of LGBT topics in school and protecting children’s rights to choose their own sexual identities.

“I reserve the right under the First Amendment to be a Christian and to teach my kids about God and teach about to my kids what’s right and what’s wrong,” said Jessica Enos, who homeschools her kids. “That’s not the school’s job.”

A smaller counterprotest of LGBTQ+ allies and LAUSD staff members gathered at City Hall to preach a message of inclusion and show support for the district’s policy of teaching students to be accepting of all race, gender and sexual identities.

Skye Tooley, a transgender elementary school teacher in LAUSD, felt it was imperative they showed up today to counteract the rhetoric shared by conservative protestors.

“Our existence should be in the classroom and the curriculum,” the teacher said. “It’s important for people to understand that us existing in front of kids is not grooming and talking about LGBTQ+ people and families and the different ways that we can exist as a human species is not us grooming kids.”

The parent rights group drew members from several regional parent groups including one from Saticoy Elementary School where a large protest made news in June over a Pride-themed book reading during a school assembly.

John, a parent of two Saticoy Elementary School students, who did not want his last name published due to safety concerns, was among the protesting parents on Tuesday who had objected to the book-reading at Saticoy that mentioned same sex parents.

“Teaching topics like this in kindergarten is wrong,” he said. “When they are in kindergarten and you start telling them stuff like that, they are going to have that idea in their brain. When they grow up they can decide, but right now they can’t decide on anything.”

In response to the rally, LAUSD provided a statement to SCNG reaffirming its commitment to creating an inclusive environment.

“The District follows state laws and state approved curriculum that reflects and embraces the experiences and backgrounds of our diverse community,” stated a district spokesperson.

The statement added, “However, the District will always and unequivocally provide additional resources and support for every student, including those experiencing gender dysphoria and questioning their sexual orientation, and will respect whatever decision a student and their family determines. The dark shadow of deliberate ignorance will not influence who we are or what we stand for.”