School Board Meeting Gets Rowdy Over LGBTQ Policy Vote

CHARLOTTE, NC -- A public hearing before a Charlotte-Mecklenburg School board vote affirming increased support of LGBTQ students as part of the district’s new multiculturalism policy became rowdy Tuesday night, that led to at least one community speaker being removed from proceedings, according to reports.

The school board voted 7-2 Jan 23 to include sexual orientation and identity in CMS' multiculturalism policy, which already includes aspects such as race, gender, ethnic background. “Equitable academic programs and services that respond to the needs of a diverse student population and prepare all students for a changing workplace and pluralistic society are essential,” the policy states.

Not everyone was in favor of the move, with some community speakers complaining that the inclusion of sexual orientation usurp parental roles in teaching religious and moral values, the Charlotte Observer reported.

“We do not need others to teach our children values,” Ted White, a pastor and CMS parent told the school board, according to the Observer. “I respect all life, but we do not have to embrace all lifestyles.”

Police removed one speaker who called homosexuality a sin, and who continued to speak as he approached the dias where members sat after his time expired. The comment provoked a sharp response from the school board’s chair, Mary McCray, who is African-American. “At one point I was judged as a sinful thing for the color of my skin,” she said, the newspaper reported.

CMS parent Allen Smith, who is also a former school board candidate, lauded the board’s decision to extend language to the LGBTQ community, saying that for some children, “the only place they will experience an environment free of homophobia and racism is a public school classroom,” the newspaper said.

You can read the Observer’s entire report from the board meeting here.

What do you think about the school board’s decision? Sound off in the comment section.

Photo via Pixabay