WC Wisconsin News

Scarlett Johnson, a member of the parental rights group Moms for Liberty, has raised concerns about the promotion of "gender ideology" and similar concepts in schools in River Falls, Wisconsin. Johnson expressed her dismay upon seeing reports of bulletin boards featuring inclusive language and explanations of LGBTQ+ terms in an unidentified school in River Falls. The photographs of the bulletin boards were initially shared on the platform "Libs of Tiktok" by an undisclosed source.

In a post on the same platform, Johnson criticized the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and its partnerships with organizations such as GLSEN, Safe Zone Project, Trevor Project, Gender Spectrum, and Advocates for Youth. She claimed that these organizations use schools as recruitment centers, resulting in classrooms that promote what she referred to as "LGBTQIA+ Identity focused materials."

The bulletin board in question displayed terms like "LGBTQ+," "gender," "pronouns," "bisexual," and "transgender," each accompanied by its respective definition. It also featured a section called the "Rainbow Library," which listed book titles with "LGBTQ+ characters, history, and themes" for children. Some of the listed books included "Beyond the Gender Binary," "The Heart Break Bakery," and "Ace of Spades."

The Trevor Project and GLSEN, two prominent LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations, focus on providing support to LGBTQ+ youth, particularly within educational settings. Their goals include preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ individuals by offering various forms of support.

Moms for Liberty, founded in Melbourne, Florida in 2021 by Tina Descovich and Tiffany Justice, is an organization known for its conservative stance. Its mission, according to the organization's website, is to "fight for the survival of America by unifying, educating, and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government." The group has grown significantly since its inception, with 285 chapters across 45 states and over 115,000 members nationwide.

Johnson's concerns reflect a larger debate over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics and materials in public education. While some argue for the importance of promoting inclusivity and providing resources for LGBTQ+ students, others, like Johnson, believe that such materials are unnecessary or inappropriate for young children. As discussions surrounding these issues continue, the role of parental rights groups like Moms for Liberty will likely remain a significant part of the conversation.