An annual pride event that brought “family-friendly drag performers” and “activism opportunities” to a Michigan elementary school ignited an online debate about the venue and whether people should be posting photos that show the faces of children who were in attendance.
Meanwhile, the Grosse Pointe Public Schools System administration is addressing concerns and questions about how the community organization that hosted the event got approval to use the elementary school grounds.
GPPSS Acting Superintendent Roy Bishop Jr., in a letter to district families, explained that the district rented use of the school to the nonprofit Welcoming Everyone Grosse Pointe (We GP) in accordance with district policies. He said the GPPSS does not necessarily endorse We GP’s viewpoints.
“We understand that community members may hold differing views about events held on district property, and we encourage respectful dialogue and direct communication with district administration or the Board of Education when questions arise,” Bishop said. “The district’s approval of a facility rental does not constitute an endorsement of an organization’s views, activities, or message.”
A short video and two photos of the event, posted on Facebook by the Grosse Pointe Public Schools Concerned Parents account, shows a drag performers hugging and dancing with young children in the parking lot of Maire Elementary School in Grosse Pointe. The images do not obscure the faces of anyone at the event, including children.
Kids’ faces shown in online clip
We GP said it welcomes a “respectful dialogue” regarding the event, but is concerned about images from the event that have circulated online, including “identifiable images of children, families, volunteers and performers.”
“The individuals who participated in GP Pride, including the performers, did not attend expecting to become the subject of widespread online scrutiny, personal attacks, or commentary that questions their character, intentions, or professionalism,” the organization posted on Facebook.
The Cornered Parents Facebook group has accused the district of promoting an ideology that some families may not agree with.
“Public schools belong to all taxpayers. They should educate kids — not host divisive events many families believe cross the line for elementary children,” the group posted, along with the photos and video of the drag performers and kids.
Bishop noted that the event was not sponsored by the district or any of its schools.
“The event took place outside school hours, on a weekend, outside the school year. Attendance was voluntary and determined by families,” Bishop said in the letter.
The celebration took place Saturday morning, according to the We GP website. Attendees met in a parking lot across from the Grosse Pointe Public Library in Grosse Pointe Farms, which is next to Richard Elementary School, then walked to Maire Elementary School for the rest of the event.
Administrator explains facility rental policies
Bishop said the rental of school facilities helps pay for the maintenance of school grounds. He indicated that We GP has rented district facilities for other events on several occasions dating back to 2017.
We GP submitted an application to use the school facility for the Pride event in February and it was approved in March, he said.
According to Bishop, school principals evaluate facility use requests for possible conflicts with school events, then district administrators review the applications for compliance with district policies. The school board is not involved in the process.
“As a public school system, we strive to ensure all students, families, and staff feel safe, welcome, and valued, while applying district policies consistently to organizations seeking use of our facilities,” Bishop said.
We GP describes itself as a “non-judgmental and non-partisan” organization “committed to resisting any attacks on civil and human rights.” It supports the rights of LGBTQA individuals, as well as women and immigrants, while promoting religious tolerance, environmentalism and other causes, its website states.
The organization did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pride event at elementary school stirs backlash, kids’ privacy concerns
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Max Reinhart, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
