A group of parents at Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood, California, plan to boycott a school assembly organized to discuss LGBTQ+ issues in recognition of Pride month. The parents, expressing their outrage through an Instagram account named ‘Saticoy Elementary Parents,’ claim they share conservative values and feel that such material is not appropriate for their children. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced the K-12 school assembly to teach students about the LGBTQ+ community and has faced criticism from the parent group.
The protest, planned for June 2, was prompted by the allegation that students will be shown a video explaining that “some kids have two mommies, some have two daddies.” The parents’ group has encouraged supporters to show up with protest signs. They have also urged parents to express their concerns by contacting LAUSD officials and keeping their children home from school on the day of the assembly. LAUSD has yet to comment on the issue.
Teachers plan to read “The Great Big Book of Families” by Mary Hoffman during the assembly. The book discusses diversity and the various forms families can take. However, the parent group objects to the material, arguing on Instagram that they’re being forced to discuss topics that should not burden their children for many years. They believe it should be their right as parents to introduce their children to such topics at their own discretion.
However, LAUSD has reiterated its commitment to creating a safe, inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity. In a statement, the district explained that its schools regularly discuss family diversity and the importance of inclusion. The district encourages all students to treat each other with respect, kindness, and compassion. Additionally, it clarified that parents can choose to have their children opt out of the program.
This boycott is part of a growing national trend, where parents are paying closer attention to school curricula and challenging content they consider inappropriate or controversial. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, school board meetings have often become venues for debates about parental control over children’s education, causing some parents to run for school board seats to address their concerns over educational content.