The North Kansas City School District has come under scrutiny for offering lessons on LGBTQ history to children as young as kindergarten, as reported exclusively by the Daily Caller. Parents Defending Education (PDE) received information about an email sent to school district staff in October, sharing resources curated by “Equity advocates.” These resources included a list of student materials on LGBTQ history from the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an organization that opposes restrictions on transgender-identified children’s access to medical interventions.
GLSEN’s materials touch on various aspects of LGBTQ history, addressing topics like gender identity, puberty, and hormone replacement therapy. The organization emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to self-identify and challenges societal norms related to gender identity.
One recommended book for kindergarteners is “Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress,” which encourages discussions about boys wearing dresses. The book tells the story of Morris, a boy who likes to wear a tangerine-colored dress and faces challenges from classmates. The narrative aims to promote acceptance and understanding of diversity.
Critics, including Michele Exner, senior adviser at PDE, argue that schools should prioritize core subjects like math, history, reading, and science instead of delving into identity politics. Exner expressed concerns about exposing young children, as young as 4 and 5 years old, to mature topics, emphasizing the need for schools to focus on academic learning rather than political indoctrination.
