A heated confrontation between Armenian-American and Hispanic parents and leftist activists took place outside a California school board meeting this week, signifying a growing schism within minority ethnic groups regarding LGBT ideology in education. The dispute occurred at Glendale Unified School District’s administration building, where many parents were voicing objections to the district’s pro-LGBT policies. Amid the fracas, Glendale Police deemed the assembly “unlawful” and arrested three individuals.
The parent-led opposition group, Glendale Unified School District Parents’ Voices (GUSD Parents’ Voices), comprised predominantly of Armenian and Hispanic parents, has repeatedly spoken against the district’s policies. They have publicly criticized the use of Black Lives Matter, “Pride,” and fetish symbols in a Christian cross display in the district’s schools, and condemned the presence of pro-LGBT children’s books like “I Am Jazz” in school libraries. The group contends that children should not be exposed to such material at an early age.
In the board meeting, parents expressed further concerns about the school district’s LGBT-related policies, particularly the use of locker rooms and bathrooms based on “gender identity” rather than biological sex. Critics of the parents, including an individual described by The Daily Signal as a man dressed in women’s clothing, accused protesting parents of promoting “hate” and insisted that children should learn about LGBT lifestyles.
Tensions escalated to the point where school board president Nayiri Nahabedian ended the public comment session. A brawl ensued outside the building, compelling the police to step in and restore order. Video footage shows men donning t-shirts with the message “Leave Our Kids Alone” clashing with masked leftists. Notably, the southern California chapter of the activist group Antifa had earlier called on supporters to attend the meeting to counter what they perceived as “anti-LGBTQIA+ hate groups.”
The incident aligns with a larger pattern of parents protesting against the introduction of pro-LGBT content in classrooms, particularly during “Pride Month.” The Daily Signal reports that parental backlash led to a significant drop in school attendance. Furthermore, it highlights a shifting political landscape, with a section of minority ethnic groups, traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, veering towards more conservative stances, particularly on issues concerning education and sexual ideology.