EUGENE, Ore. (CITC) — An Oregon school district already facing accusations of using students for "sexual entertainment" is hosting a Pride-themed event that will feature drag performances this week.
The Eugene School District 4J (4J) is holding a "Pride Fest" at one of its high schools Friday, marking the beginning of Pride Month. According to a flyer shared on social media, the event will offer various free activities, including drag performances and a clothing swap.
"Enjoy some free and purchasable goodies, participate in activities hosted by 4J GSAs and affinity groups, receive LGBTQIA+ resources from community organizations, watch some amazing queer performances by students and community members, and so much more," the flyer reads.
Parents nationwide have questioned the appropriateness of drag performances in school-run events, with some calling such performances "perversion." A "Drag & Donuts" event at a Florida high school was canceled earlier this year after parents brought their concerns to the Florida Department of Education.
READ MORE | Student-led drag show hidden from parents, sparks outrage in Calif. school district
The latest event in Oregon comes less than three months after the district began facing criticism over high school students receiving a "sexual fantasy" assignment. The assignment, which was distributed during a health class at Churchill High School, asked students to "write a short story" using items such as massage oil, flavored syrups and candles.
"This story is a sexual fantasy that will have NO penetration of any kind or oral sex," the assignment read. "Your story should show that you can show and receive loving physical affection without having sex."
The assignment sparked outrage amongst the 4J community, with parents demanding answers from the school board.
"In a culture that professes to value consent above all else, I would like to acknowledge that the children in this class did not consent to be sexual entertainment for their teacher or for a school district with no regard for their safety or propriety," one mother told the 4J school board during a meeting in March. "This is ignorance at best and pedophilia at worst."
4J removed the assignment from the health class's syllabus after the community raised concerns, with Superintendent Dr. Andy Dey saying the district fell short of "prioritizing site-based decision making, academic freedom and effective administrative oversight." The teacher who provided the assignment was also placed on leave while the district conducted an investigation.
However, parents still felt that 4J failed to respond appropriately, arguing that nobody in leadership elected to "stand up" for their children.
Crisis in the Classroom (CITC) reached out to 4J to inquire as to why it decided to include drag performances in its "Pride Fest" event, but did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.
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