Several parents at a school in Canada decided to keep their children home last Friday, following news about a gender identity presentation held the previous week.
The event, which was for seventh to ninth graders at Oyster Pond Academy, featured Teo Ferguson, a nonbinary drag performer, as one of the speakers.
Controversy Over Presenter’s Background
Ferguson, who also works as a creative programming facilitator at The Youth Project, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ+ youth, addressed students on topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationships.
However, some parents were upset when they learned that Ferguson, who performs under the stage name “Cookie Cunningham,” had shared their drag social media account with students.
Ferguson’s social media includes provocative photos, which further fueled the controversy.
Parents’ Concerns and School’s Response
One parent, Hollie Riggs, voiced her frustration with the content and the access students had to Ferguson’s drag account after the presentation.
Another parent, Greg Austin, said his son and other students felt uncomfortable during the talk but were not allowed to leave the room.
Austin expressed concern that parents were not informed about the presentation beforehand.
In response, the Halifax Regional Center for Education (HRCE) acknowledged that sharing personal social media details was inappropriate and should not have happened.
They also clarified that students should have been given the option to leave the presentation if they felt uncomfortable, a policy that would be enforced moving forward.
Ferguson Responds to Criticism
Ferguson explained to the media that sharing their drag account was an unintentional mistake made in response to a student’s request.
They stressed that they had explicitly told students at the beginning of the presentation not to search for them online.
Ferguson also shared that a teacher had initially been enthusiastic about their participation, but the backlash from parents escalated after the presentation.
The School’s Obligations and Health Curriculum
The school administration later sent a letter to parents explaining that the presentation was part of the Health Education curriculum, which includes topics such as puberty, body image, sexual health, and gender identity.
According to the curriculum guidelines, eighth graders are also taught about issues like consent, pornography, and sexual violence.
While some parents were outraged by the incident, others, including parents of students who are questioning their gender identity, found the presentation helpful and supportive.
The HRCE has since addressed the situation with the school’s staff to ensure similar issues do not arise in future presentations.
What’s Next for the School?
With the situation still a point of discussion among parents and educators, the school has committed to improving communication with parents regarding future presentations.
Additionally, they have reinforced the need for respect and boundaries when it comes to sharing personal information with students.
The administration will continue to follow the mandated curriculum while ensuring that any concerns raised by students or parents are handled appropriately.
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