Two speakers from the Osseo Area Schools district addressed the school board last month to express their views about the upcoming “LGBTQIA+” lesson that sparked backlash last year.
In April, Osseo Area Schools announced that it would host an “LGBTQIA+ History and Culture lesson” for high school students during the week of May 12. This event is directly connected to the school district’s “LGBT Resolution,” a June 2022 measure which initiated many pro-LGBT changes in the district.
The planned lesson does allow students to “opt out,” meaning students are automatically enrolled, but can choose not to attend if they wish. Last year, nearly 10 percent of Osseo high school students opted out.
Students will “gain an understanding of the importance of using correct pronouns and respecting diverse identities” during the lesson, according to the district.
At the Osseo school board meeting last month, members of the public addressed the board with concerns about various topics. Two people, Max Maher and Michelle Strait, spoke out about the LGBT lesson in question.
Maher opened by critiquing a variety of statements he said were made during a previous school board work session. During his comments, Maher seemed to indicate that those statements undermined the purpose of the “LGBTQIA+” resolution.
“In closing, the resolution was passed to ensure dignity, safety, and inclusion for LGBT students — students who still face disproportionate harm in schools,” said Maher. “Efforts to walk back its implementation through procedural loopholes, or vague discomfort, send a message that their inclusion is negotiable — it isn’t.”
If the Osseo school board values equity, Maher said, then it must “hold LGBT students in the same regard as any other group we seek to affirm.” In Maher’s words, that means “upholding the resolution not just in words but in practice.”
The other speaker, Michelle Strait, introduced herself as a resident and parent in the school district. Strait expressed opposition to the lesson.
“Why is the district having this lesson?” asked Strait. “It has been communicated numerous times to parents and the community that the lesson is required under Minnesota law, but that’s not accurate. Although the LGBTQIA+ resolution and lesson don’t conflict with state law, it goes well beyond what is required.”
After noting that the school district has strong policies in place to prevent bullying, Strait asked rhetorical questions about whether the district sets aside days to teach about Jewish or Muslim people.
“Do we have days set aside to teach about Jewish or Muslim people?” she questioned. “Do we learn about their histories? Do we attempt to convince people to align with either of those religions? Let’s create a welcoming space for all of our students without endorsing specific belief systems. Let’s focus on creating a positive school atmosphere where no one is targeted for being different than anyone else.”
During her comments, Strait explained that parents have the ability to review the lesson’s material. The lesson contains “speculation on historical figures” and “emotionally charged videos intended to sway students,” according to Strait.
“Who performed a review to make sure this lesson was impartial and accurate? The premise of the lesson is to make space for people to be who they are,” she said. “But in fact, it seems the space that is being asked for is so that you will be open to embracing gender identity and not for respecting those that don’t believe in it. The entire lesson risks making students feel judged or silenced just for having a different perspective.”
Strait expressed concern that students would be taught this lesson without their parents’ knowledge because it requires someone to opt-out of the lesson and “it is easy to miss emails from the district.”
Sarah Prentice
Sarah Prentice has previously written for Campus Reform and worked as an intern at Media Research Center. While continuing to pursue her degree in political science, she worked full-time in communications and media outreach for a pro-woman, pro-life non-profit. Now a fellow at Alpha News during her senior year of college, she hopes to graduate with her political science degree from SUNY Brockport and combine it with her media and communications experience to pursue political journalism. She has a special interest in reporting on stories related to social issues, education, public health, and religious freedom.
