Middle School Celebrates Transgender Awareness Week

A middle school in Maryland recently marked Transgender Awareness Week by presenting a slideshow aimed at sixth-graders, featuring topics such as “Advice for Coming Out” and “8 Tips for Being Nonbinary.”

Students at Westland Middle School in Bethesda were introduced last month to the concept that “a person’s gender is who they think they are,” according to a video included in a 12-slide presentation obtained by Fox News Digital.

The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between sex and gender, stating that this knowledge helps individuals better understand themselves. The content was developed by Pop’n’Olly, an organization focused on LGBT education.

Throughout the presentation, several slides explain what it means to be transgender, and students are tested on their understanding of the material.

One slide prompts class discussions between students, asking questions like, “How does someone know if they are a ‘girl’ or a ‘boy’?”

Another question posed was: “Why do you think people announce the gender of their baby first?”

Students also viewed videos titled “Advice for Coming Out” and “8 Tips for Being Nonbinary.” In one of these presentations, a non-binary creator named Lorenzo discusses coping strategies when someone misuses pronouns and offers advice on finding a suitable identity label.

Lorenzo, who has a considerable online following, also delves into the process of “binding,” which refers to techniques for flattening breasts to minimize feminine appearance.

The final slide invited students to join the “LGBTQ+ Club of Westland,” referred to as “SAGA” (which stands for “Sexuality and Gender Acceptance”).

Erica Sange, senior director of communications at Defending Education, criticized the lessons as inappropriate, stating, “There’s no justification for such propaganda in schools. It presents harmful ideologies as if they are unquestionable truths, risking confusion and harm among impressionable children.” She voiced concerns about the potential impact on students who may be particularly vulnerable.

In response, a spokesperson for Montgomery County Public Schools defended the presentation, asserting the district’s duty to ensure all students feel “safe, seen, and respected.” They explained that Westland has been offering advisory classes on various topics to promote understanding and kindness, along with clear opt-out procedures for the materials.

The spokesperson reiterated that the lessons aim to foster recognition, respect, and support among peers in a diverse school environment, emphasizing that middle school is a critical period for questioning and growth.