Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' critique of a White House Pride event, where two transgender activists went topless, has ignited a debate about LGBTQ+ issues and their place in education. DeSantis questioned the appropriateness of such displays, particularly in light of his state's parental rights law, which restricts instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.
Several parental rights groups have voiced support for DeSantis' stance. Sheri Few, president of United States Parents Involved in Education, argued that if such displays are deemed inappropriate for adults, they should be equally inappropriate for children. She drew a parallel to concerns about sexually explicit materials in school libraries.
Erika Sanzi, of Parents Defending Education, echoed this view, suggesting that the White House's condemnation of the topless incident reveals a double standard regarding what is considered acceptable content for children in schools.
Suzanne Gallagher, of Parents’ Rights In Education, framed the incident as part of a broader effort by the "far left" to destigmatize sexual behavior through comprehensive sexuality education in schools. She and others argue that many "family-friendly" Pride events, including one in West Hollywood, have featured inappropriate content.
Walker Wildmon, of American Family Association Action, criticized the incident as a departure from traditional moral values and called for a return to a "biblical ethic of family." Gallagher added that public opinion polls indicate declining support for the normalization of all sexual behaviors.
