Oregon Middle School Hosts Optional Drag Day During Pride Week

The Arts & Technology Academy in Eugene, Oregon, hosted a Pride Spirit Week to celebrate Pride Month, encouraging middle school students to participate in themed dress-up days including 'Drag Day,' where students were asked to dress as drag queens, kings, or different genders, and 'Queer Hero Day,' honoring favorite queer figures. The week also featured 'Rainbow-Out' day and 'Pride Flag Friday,' promoting visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. However, some parents expressed concerns over the late notification of these activities, as the school principal sent out the event memo only after students had been dismissed, which raised questions about compliance with Oregon state law requiring advance parental notification for instruction related to human sexuality. The Eugene School District acknowledged the communication delay, affirmed that participation was optional, and stressed that the events aligned with the Oregon Department of Education's LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan, aimed at educating students on the histories and contributions of marginalized communities. The district committed to improving communication with families and maintaining inclusive and safe learning environments. The events have sparked debate about parental rights and school transparency in educational content involving LGBTQ+ themes.