With one dissenting vote, EGUSD adopts proclamation recognizing LGBTQ+ Pride Month
"I believe it is a false statement to say that we honor families of LGBTQ students"
During their Tuesday night meeting, the Elk Grove Unified School District adopted a resolution recognizing June as lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer plus Pride Month with one dissenting vote. The dissenting vote came from Area 7 Trustee Heidi Moore.
The public comments heard by the trustees were roughly split between opponents and supporters. Moore voiced her opposition to the district-wide proclamation during the trustees' deliberation.
Although she did not specifically identify it, Moore's comments were aligned with the parental identity movement. The practices of that movement, which has been outlawed in California, seek to compel school administrators to notify parents when their children identify with a gender identity different from their birth gender.
"I believe it is a false statement to say that we honor families of LGBTQ students," Moore said. "Instead, we exclude and deny them opportunities to be partners in their children's education and deny them opportunities when their children are struggling with their gender identity."
During her commentary, which can be seen in the video, Moore argued against certain books in school libraries. Before being elected to the board, Moore vigorously criticized the inclusion of LGBTQ-themed books and sought their removal.
"Based on several books I have located in our libraries, I believe several of the books target LGBTQ students by sexualizing them," she said.
Board president Michael Vargas was among the trustees who spoke in support of the proclamation. In his commentary, Vargas emphasized the importance of students seeing school support.
"It's important that you see this as our promise that we see you, and your safety and your well-being, continues to be our top priority," he said. "This is also our promise to keep doing better."
