Michigan Education Official Faces Backlash Over Gender Response
A Michigan education official is receiving criticism after a video of her response to a Republican state lawmaker’s query about the number of genders has gone viral.
Dr. Sue Carnell, who is the Chief Deputy Superintendent, was asked directly by Republican Representative Jay DeBoyer how many genders there are. A clip of this exchange has circulated widely online, garnering over 2.4 million views.
In the video, when Carnell didn’t immediately provide an answer, DeBoyer pressed further. “Different people think about it differently,” she stated.
DeBoyer then insisted, “Well, you can believe what you want, but science I’m saying there are two.”
Following the incident, social media exploded with reactions, many questioning her qualifications. One TikTok user remarked, “Unreal. Michigan Superintendent Sue Carnell doesn’t know how many genders there are. It’s just crazy.”
Political commentator Wesley Yang criticized her, suggesting her response reflected a deeper issue within the educational system.
Michigan Senator Aric Nesbitt also weighed in, emphasizing the poor reading levels among students. He noted that the state is grappling with significant educational challenges, which seem to be exacerbated by such leadership.
Nesbitt highlighted a report that revealed a notable decline in reading scores among young students, a declining trend attributed to disruptions caused by the pandemic.
After the backlash, Carnell stated that the purpose of the recent updates to Michigan’s Health Education Standards is not merely about answering questions but providing guidance to local school districts on health issues, including criteria related to gender identity.
She further detailed that, by the end of eighth grade, students should be able to understand concepts around gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, as well as their interactions.
New sex education standards, which Carnell defended during the hearing, were recently approved by the Michigan State Board of Education with a swift vote.
The newspaper has reached out for additional comments from Carnell.
