While a meeting was being held by a Southern California school board to discuss the declaration of June as Pride Month, a violent clash erupted among the protesters gathered outside. The Glendale Police Department confirmed that three people were arrested, and an unlawful assembly was declared. Although the majority of the protest remained peaceful, a small group of individuals engaged in unsafe behavior that posed a risk to public safety, according to the police.
A video posted on Twitter by Brennan Murphy (@brenonade) showed anti-LGBT protestors attacking pro-LGBT demonstrators outside the Glendale school board meeting. The meeting was focused on voting to recognize June as Pride month. The Los Angeles Times captured an image of a man wearing a shirt that read, “Teacher: Don’t bring your bedroom into my kid’s classroom.”
Around 500 people gathered outside the school district headquarters in Glendale, with those opposing the Pride Month declaration waving U.S. flags and displaying signs that read “Leave our kids alone” and “Stop grooming the kids.” In contrast, counterprotesters supporting the declaration arrived with rainbow Pride flags. Eventually, the five-member school board unanimously voted in favor of recognizing Pride Month.
In previous years, the Glendale school board’s Pride Month declarations encouraged district staff to support lessons and activities that educate students about the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and the experiences of LGBTQ+ students, employees, and families. The board also urged everyone to acknowledge the contributions made by LGBTQ+ individuals and promote principles of equality, liberty, and justice.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the violence, attributing it to a growing right-wing culture war. He stated that what should have been a routine vote turned into a violent incident. Newsom emphasized that while the resolution’s wording remained the same as in previous years, a divisive and demonizing wave has swept across the nation.
Tuesday’s violence occurred amidst a broader trend of conservative lawmakers targeting discussions of race, gender, and sexual orientation in schools. These lawmakers claim that school districts are sexualizing children by incorporating inclusive education materials into the curriculum. Additionally, a study released in April by the American Civil Liberties Union and Freedom for All Americans revealed that over 200 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced this year.
Governor Newsom reaffirmed California’s commitment to celebrating diversity and pluralism, stating that Glendale exemplifies this commitment. However, he denounced the hate displayed during the protest as contradictory to these values.
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