Oregon Social Worker Loses First Amendment Case

Rod Theis, a social worker in Oregon, was dismissed from his position after he displayed children’s books that affirm biological gender, including titles like He Is He and She Is She. He pursued a legal case citing First Amendment rights against the school district, which concluded unfavorably with Judge John Owens ruling that schools have the authority to dictate content during work hours. The case surfaces concerns over a possible double standard, given that other educators have displayed LGBTQ+ messaging without encountering issues.

In another related incident, a mother from Washington decided to withdraw her children from an elementary school after discovering a Pride-themed lesson presented during music class without prior notification or opt-out options for parents. Maria Varchetto, in communication with school administrators, shared her frustration about the lack of advance notice and opportunity to review or opt-out of the lesson, which addressed LGBTQ+ identities.

Varchetto alleged that the lesson was delivered on June 15 at Martha Lake Elementary School in the Edmonds School District. The lesson included a video titled “Why is Pride in June” from the “Queer Kid Stuff” YouTube channel, aimed at educating children on LGBTQ+ issues. This channel features a series for children aged 3+, hosted by a queer lady named Lindsay and her non-binary friend, Teddy, combining elements of gender studies and child-friendly content.

This incident compelled Varchetto to remove her children from the school, expressing distrust in the leadership. Additional materials shared during the lesson included videos of LGBTQ+ musicians like Freddie Mercury, Lil Nas X, and Billy Porter. Varchetto reported her daughter recalled learning about various identities, including gay, lesbian, transgender, asexual, nonbinary, and Two-Spirit.

“I feel mad they did this, mad they hid it,” Varchetto expressed, sharing her disappointment at having to withdraw her children from a school environment where they had established friendships. She stated how disillusioned she felt due to what she perceived as a lack of transparency and consent from the school.

The Edmonds School District responded by noting that the lesson was not part of a districtwide Pride curriculum but was a music lesson crafted by the music teacher that emphasized the contributions of influential musicians, some of whom identify as LGBTQ+. The district spokesperson affirmed the lesson aimed at teaching music history through significant artists’ lives and contributions, aligning with age-appropriate material and district expectations.

Concerns like Varchetto’s are reviewed by school administrators to ensure instructional materials meet district and state standards. The Edmonds School District assured that any issues raised would be dealt with collaboratively between concerned parties and school administrators.