A group of school parents is reportedly incensed after a public high school in Elk Grove, California held a mandatory drag show performance under the guise of a ‘multicultural assembly.’
Student-led drag show at an Elk Grove high school assembly angers some parents https://t.co/8iviIyol70 pic.twitter.com/cipmjNbCcK
— CBS Sacramento CBS13 (@CBSSacramento) March 9, 2023
“They knew there would be parents who would not support this, and this is why they let it in under the guise of ‘culture,’” a parent named Amy said during an Elk Grove Unified School District board meeting held March 7.
Amy and other parents in the district reportedly requested that their last names not be used to protect their children’s identities.
The school’s drag show was posted on YouTube by a pro “Life, Family, & Liberty” organization called the California Family Council.
According to the group, the administration of Pleasant Grove High School essentially misled local parents, informing them that their kids would be viewing a Multicultural Assembly, with no mention of it including dancing drag queens.
Upon being asked if student attendance to the controversial show is required, school district spokesperson James Tan told Elk Grove Citizen that “Students and teachers are expected to attend assemblies that take place during normal school hours.”
“I’ve been a part of this district since 1983, and in 30 years, I have never felt betrayal like I felt on Friday,” Amy declared. She said her son, who attended the assembly, felt “uncomfortable” and “trapped.”
Prior to the performance, a person dressed in drag explained the display’s intentions, stating, “So gender and sexuality aren’t a race or ethnicity, but still a culture because culture emerges from community, which is why we are here today. Pride is part of queer culture… Our performance is a protest for all the queens and transgender youth whose lives were lost for doing exactly what we are doing. Our performance is for our community in Oklahoma, Idaho, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee where we are actively being targeted. Everyone deserves to love, to be, and to be loved.”
The Elk Grove Unified school district has expressed no regret over the incident, instead defending its actions.
“The show included only Elk Grove Unified students and was held in full compliance with student codes of conduct and existing requirements for on-campus events,” reads part of an Elk Grove Unified School District statement given to KOVR.
“All performances at the multicultural assembly were approved by school staff and administration with the support of EGUSD Secondary Education.”
The statement additionally attempted to shift away any blame for the drag costumes, claiming, “The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and families.”
