Chris Lange, FISM News
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A Pennsylvania lawmaker is calling on the state’s Dept. of Education to respond to questions about gender identity and sex curriculum targeting young students.
Specifically at issue is a slideshow featuring a “gender unicorn” diagram that was used in a Grove City College seminar attended by students enrolled in its education program. The presentation instructed attendees on creative ways to have conversations about gender ideology and sexual preferences with children in kindergarten through the first grade.
Republican State Rep. Aaron Bernstine demanded to know how, and to whom, the materials were provided in a letter addressed to Pennsylvania Dept. of Education Secretary Noe Ortega. In the missive, Bernstine noted that seminar participants were told the diagram, which was included with the letter, originated with the U.S. Department of Education and was distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The lawmaker asked Ortega if the Pennsylvania Department of Education endorsed the diagram and if it is being used in any continuing education courses approved by the department. He further requested documentation showing where the materials are being distributed, as well as a list of any continuing education courses that incorporate the diagrams.
“Five-, 6-, 7-, 8-year-old children need to be seeing nothing like this whatsoever,” Bernstine told a Pittsburgh CBS affiliate. “It is very important that we make sure that this never reaches our children at this young of an age. It is entirely unacceptable, and we have to make sure that we’re protecting kids in the classroom.”
The diagram features a purple unicorn and a rainbow with brightly-colored text inviting young children to select their “gender identity” from among the choices of “female/woman/girl, male/man/boy,” or “other gender(s).” Additional sections include “sex assigned at birth,” “physically attracted to,” and “emotionally attracted to.”
“It is not the job of the government to indoctrinate these kids to this despicable type of graphic. It talks about sex and things like that. It is way too young to be having these conversations with children,” Bernstine said.
“No kid is gonna really tell you what they like if they’re not even sexually involved,” said Tawanda Floyd, the parent of a child in the age range targeted by the curriculum, according to the news station. “And no disrespect, but I don’t think kids should even be talking about gender,” she added.
The Pennsylvania Dept. of Education would not confirm whether or not the diagrams are being used in schools or whether the state supports their use.
“The ability to honor the dignity of others remains a mainstay in education. We know that to do their best, students must feel safe at school. PDE wholly supports diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in all schools,” the department said in a statement provided to the news station.
The U.S Department of Education said it does not dictate content at state and local levels.