Students in Massachusetts reportedly revolted against a school district-mandated Pride celebration.
According to the Boston Globe, students at Marshall Simonds Middle School refused to wear mandated gay Pride gear and organized a counterprotest against the school’s Pride-themed event.
Many of the middle school students wore red, white, and blue as they chanted their pronouns “U.S.A.” Some students also tore down Pride decorations.
Nancy Bonassera, co-chair of the Burlington Equity Coalition, condemned what she described as “intolerance and homophobia,” displayed by the students.
School officials are in panic mode over kids revolting against “Pride Day”
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 13, 2023
Kids refused to wear colors and some even chanted that their pronouns are USA pic.twitter.com/xuNBlMCrdq
“On that same day there was a counter-demonstration in response to what should have been a day to celebrate,” Bonassera said. “Students wore red, white and blue clothing, chanted ‘my pronouns are USA’ and destroyed rainbow decorations at the school.”
“We challenge Burlington town leadership to take an active stand against hate under the guise of ‘free expression,’” she went on to say, adding that the group would be hiring a diversity, inclusion, and equity director.
School Principal Cari Purchase also told parents that the school will be looking into a “program” to teach the students who protested about their behavior.
This comes as LGBTQIA+ issues have been a hot-button topic across the country. Similarly, a brawl broke out during a Pride march at an elementary school in Los Angeles after a transgender teacher’s rainbow flag was burned on the premises.
The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that more than 100 parents rallied against the Pride Day assembly at Saticoy Elementary School in North Hollywood.
Numerous angry protestors had banners that read, “Parental choice matters” and “No pride in grooming.” A big trailer on one truck was also covered in a red sign that read, “Leave our kids alone.”
They faced off against 100 other protesters who had gathered across the street to voice their support for LGBTQIA+ rights and Pride Month, which began on June 1.
At least two fights took place at the tense event, and it is still unclear whether anyone was injured or arrested. The outlet noted that the Friday Gay Pride and Rainbow Day assembly was set to include a reading of “The Great Big Book of Families” by Mary Hoffman. Conservatives claim that the book inappropriately teaches young kids about the concept of sex at an early age.
