Blue State Teachers Union President Orders Staff To Stop Wearing Pro-Gay Badges After Parental Backlash

Michigan Teachers Union Halts Use of Pro-Gay Badges Amid Parental Opposition

Following backlash from parents and community members, the president of the Fenton Education Association (FEA) in Michigan instructed staff to stop wearing “equality” badges featuring the pride flag, transgender flag, and Black Lives Matter symbol. The decision, announced by FEA President Sarah Foster during a school board meeting, aims to address concerns over harassment and divisiveness.

The badges, which were initially introduced to promote inclusivity, sparked intense debate during an April 10 school board meeting attended by over 200 residents. Parents argued that the symbols were age-inappropriate and culturally divisive, while the district superintendent attempted to modify the badges’ design to address concerns. Despite these efforts, backlash persisted, leading to the union’s decision to halt their use.

Key Points:

• FEA President Sarah Foster announced the cessation of “equality” badge usage during a May school board meeting, citing harassment concerns.
• Parents and community members objected to the badges, calling them divisive and inappropriate for school settings.
• The badges were part of a national initiative by the National Education Association to provide resources to LGBTQ students.

Blue State Teachers Union President Orders Staff To Stop Wearing Pro-Gay Badges After Parental Backlash

Reagan Reese on May 2, 2023

Following community backlash, a Michigan teachers union president ordered its members to stop wearing “equality” badges that feature the pride flag, the transgender flag and the Black Lives Matter symbol, according to Fox 66.

Fenton Education Association (FEA) President Sarah Foster told educators to no longer wear badges the union created that say “equality: stronger together” at a Monday school board meeting, in an effort to stop “harassment,” according to Fox 66. The decision comes after parents and community members pushed back against the badges throughout April, saying they are age inappropriate and divisive.

“I have made the decision to ask our staff to stop wearing these badges,” Foster said at the end of Monday’s school board meeting, according to Fox 66.

Previously, more than 200 residents attended an April 10 school board meeting to debate the implementation of the “equality” badges, with parents arguing that the badges bring up age-inappropriate conversations on sexuality and don’t promote equality, the Tri-County Times reported.

“The colorful symbols used to spell out the word ‘equality’ are in most cases age-inappropriate, they are culturally divisive, not inclusive of all students, disparaging of those not listed, potentially racist, and the symbol representing the letter ‘T’ promotes an absolute falsehood,” an attendee said at the meeting, according to the Tri-County Times.

[YouTube | Screenshot: Fenton High School District 100]

Throughout the country teachers are wearing LGBTQ ally badges that provide resources to gay students and were created by the National Education Association, the parent teachers union of the FEA. Fenton Area Public Schools (FAPS) Superintendent Heidie Ciesielski redesigned the FEA’s “equality” badge to look different from the NEA’s design, the Tri-County Times reported.

“Why talk about sex with kids in school?” a parent said at the April meeting about the badges, according to the Tri-County Times.

FEA and FAPS did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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