Gender and Fairfax Schools. Last Thursday evening, May 7, hundreds of taxpayers, including many of our parishioners (thank you!), attended the Fairfax County School Board meeting to voice their strong opposition to the Board’s proposal to add “gender identity” to their non-discrimination policy, (i.e., forcing little Suzy to change in a locker room next to little Johnny if Johnny says he thinks he’s a girl). Apparently many of the school board members were openly arrogant and condescending toward the crowd, as they despite overwhelming and vocal opposition of the crowd, voted 10-1 in favor of the proposal (Elizabeth Schultz cast the only opposing vote; Patty Reed abstained from the vote, but also voiced opposition and tried to get the vote postponed). So much for representative government in action.
But there’s more! At the May 7 meeting board members assured the crowd that nothing would change after the vote. But just 4 days later, on May 11, the School Board released the Family Life Education (FLE) committee report recommending the addition of the Gender Identity Agenda down to middle school students in 7th grade. The report also announces that parents will not be able to opt out of these lessons because they will be moved out of the FLE and into mental health sections of the school curriculum. The report goes on to state: “Sexual orientation and gender identity terms will be discussed with focus on appreciation for individual differences.”
Once again I ask you to voice your objections by emailing the school board members at
fairfaxcountyschoolboard@fcps.edu. I also encourage you to remember this on Election Day, this coming November 3rd. And finally, I encourage you to prayerfully consider whether the Lord might be calling you to run for election to the board yourself (there is still time if you act quickly). As we read in today’s Gospel: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.’” And as we read in Isaiah: “The Lord [said], “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
Once again, thanks to parishioner Mychele Brickner (former school board member) for keeping us up to date. Please feel free to contact her with questions –
mbrickner1@icloud.com.