Parents Demand Removal of Controversial LGBTQIA+ Book in New York School District
Outraged upstate New York parents took over a school board meeting this week, demanding to know why their elementary school children were exposed to an LGBTQIA+ book that included depictions of naked people and bondage enthusiasts.
A large and animated crowd of parents gathered in a Monroe County auditorium on Tuesday and voiced their concerns to the superintendent and Penfield school board about their young children having access to the book "The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies."
The controversial book tells the story of a young girl and her two mothers attending an LGBT parade and follows a child who is exploring their gender identity. The book's lesson for kids is to "break down stereotypes and embrace diversity," according to a description.
"The Rainbow Parade" includes depictions of a naked person shown from behind, furries, and a gay couple outfitted in leather, BDSM (bondage/domination/sado-masochism) attire.
Students that were shown the book were in grades 1 through 5, meaning they are roughly ages 5 through 11.
Parents in Penfield were not pleased and let Superintendent Tasha Potter get a taste of their anger.
"If you think that that's appropriate for children to see, then there's something wrong with you," John Feathers, a father, said at the meeting, according to WHEC, adding, "You need to have a mental evaluation. There's no reason that should be in the schools whatsoever at all."
"You can see the guy's butt is clearly out," Feathers said, referencing one drawing in the book, "And then if you go over on this side of the picture, there's two guys standing in bondage right there."
Potter tried to quell parental outrage by referencing proper procedure for filing objections to school materials -- but was quickly and overwhelmingly booed.
"We are here at our board meeting, conducting our business," Potter patronizingly said to parents -- who then booed particularly loudly.
"It's our board meeting," said one parent who was filming the surreal conclave.
"We pay you!", another male parent shouted.
As the boos rained down, the school officials called the meeting to a close without officially hearing any public comments.
"They're just leaving?," the parent filming the event said in disbelief.
Video from the contentious meeting went viral and even Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk has weighed in on the controversy.
The richest man in the world quoted a video posted by Libs of TikTok writing only, "A kindergartner..."
The Penfield School Board did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
