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The “Drag & Donuts” event at Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, has been canceled due to parental pressure.
A student club was getting ready to witness “Drag and Donuts”, organized by the school’s Queer and Ally Alliance, which had two previous editions.
Until a few hours ago, the “Drag & Donuts” It was scheduled to be held tomorrow, but the insistence of the citizens in opposition forced its cancellation.
A member of the orange county school board revealed that dozens of concerned parents tirelessly called him to express their disapproval.
Notice of the cancellation of the Drag & Donuts
In a statement to families and students, the director of the educational institution pointed out important points within the cancellation notice.
“The ‘Drag and Donuts’ event was not a drag show, but an opportunity for students to hear a positive message of acceptance. This would be the third year that the speaker would address this club. After receiving a call from the Florida Department of Education today, we have canceled the event. The Department questioned whether the event was age and developmentally appropriate and indicated that any administrator, teacher or staff member who attended could be investigated and jeopardize their professional license,” he said in his message.
University student rebels against homophobia in Florida
Alicia Ferrantemember of the board, expanded the arguments that led them to suspend the “Drag & Donuts”.
“In our public schools we are held to a higher standard because we deal with other people’s children,” Ferrant said.
He also talked about the speaker who would give a lecture in front of the student community.
“If they come as a man to talk about their queer lifestyle, that’s one thing, but when they come dressed up and promoting that lifestyle, it’s different.” Ferrant said.
The speaker’s response to be featured on “Drag & Donuts”
The foregoing, questioning whether the speaker would attend in his masculine role as Jason DeShazoor in his role of Momma Ashley Rose.
Before the cancellation DeShazor he was outraged and asked: What is the difference in inviting a queer person to speak to queer youth?
He considered that the cancellation of the event is an attack on the community LGBTQ+, which he described as detrimental to queer youth and their families.
“In addition, the hateful and violent rhetoric directed at me and my organization, as well as educators and staff at the Boone High Schoolare completely unacceptable and should not be rewarded,” he said. DeShazo.
He recognized that from the fight for inclusion, censorship “it is a dangerous road” and urged citizens to reflect on it.
He argued that actions like this curtail the rights of the diverse community, as well as those of their family and friends.
“At the end of the day, I find it very hard to believe that the biggest threat to our children at school is a drag queen that spreads the message that you are loved, accepted and loved no matter who you are”, emphasized the activist.