Parents Defending Education submitted a public records request to the Oakland Unified School District seeking any materials in the district’s possession regarding a “Responding to Resistance” training on “advocating for our LGBTQ+ Youth” that took place on February 28, 2024. The district provided PDE with a presentation for the training titled “Providing Safe and Supportive Environments for LGBTQ Students.” The purpose was to teach staff how to respond against “resistance” from “admin, teachers or staff,” “family and community members,” and “students.”
The presentation stated that one pillar of resistance was “religion/tradition/culture/beliefs” and that it was “important to know you won’t change some people’s minds.” The presentation then mentions the following examples of resistance to discuss:
- A parent calls the school because their kindergartner wants to wear a dress after being read My Princess Boy in class/Rainbow Club/Library… They want to hold a meeting immediately to discuss. What is your approach?
- You overhear a teacher/staff member saying, “I don’t care what they say. I’m not calling a student by a different name or acknowledge any of that gender change stuff. It’s against my religion.” What do you say/do (if anything)?
- You receive an email from a parent of an incoming student, that reads, in part, “My child _____ is transgender? Can I update their name and gender identity on school records? Also, can you share what practices you employ to ensure children like mine feel welcomed?
- A student socially transitions over the summer. When they return, they tell you they use they/them pronouns (but their name is the same). How do you respond?
