Ryan Middle School in Fairbanks promptly scrubbed its website of all links to LGBTQ material following an Oct. 13 Alaska Watchman report which detailed how the school was using its public resources to encourage 6th-8th graders to question and explore their sexual orientation, gender identity and how to engage in various sexual acts.
Before the Watchman article was published, the school’s website provided links for students to visit five specific LGBTQ activist websites that advocate for same-sex locker rooms and bathrooms, as well as allowing biological boys to compete on all female teams. One website walked students through how to discover whether they are gay, lesbian or bisexual, while providing explicit details on how to have anal and oral sex. It also included “first time sex stories” and told students how to prevent pregnancy through “pulling out,” abortion and the morning after pill, among other options.
While the school website no longer explicitly promotes LGBTQ sexuality and practices, it still invites students to speak confidentially with school counselors about “sexual orientation” and “social concerns.” It states that any service provided by school counselors is confidential, so long as students don’t reveal “an intent to harm yourself or others.”
“Here at Ryan Middle School we want to ensure all students are in a safe environment regardless of their sexual orientation,” the website currently states. “Don’t hesitate to talk to the counselors about sexual orientation concerns, questions, or needed support.”
Given the school was clearly using its official website (and continues to use paid counselors) to promote LGBTQ sexuality, state law may have something to say about the matter.
According to Alaska State Statute parents must be notified “not less than two weeks before any activity, class, or program that includes content involving human reproduction or sexual matters is provided to a child.”
Parents have the right to “review the content of an activity, class, performance standard, or program” and withdraw the child if they see fit, the law states.
TAKING ACTION
— Click here to contact the Fairbanks School Board.
— Click here to contact the Fairbanks District Chief School Administrator Karen Melin.
— To contact Ryan Middle School Principal Heather Stewart, email heather.stewart@k12northstar.org or call (907) 452-4751 ext. 13510.
— Click here to contact Ryan Middle School counselors.
