Gender and Sexual Identity in Schools: A Battle at the Epicenter of the Culture Wars (Ep. 4)
Episode Notes
Since 2022 the number of new bills affecting LGBTQ students and how teachers are allowed to talk and teach about issues related to gender and sexual identity have skyrocketed.
These bills and the larger question of the school’s role regarding gender and sexual identity have generated considerable controversy among educators, parents, and the public at large. On one side are those who believe discussions about gender and sexual identity shouldn’t take place in the classroom. This sentiment was reflected in a statement by one of our guests, Meg Kilgannon, who said, “Let equipped parents have these conversations with their children.”
On the other side are those who believe that as students learn about diversity and respect for others in school, they must learn about differences in gender and sexual identity. Many also argue that LGBTQ students must have a safe and supportive learning environment, especially given the high number who suffer emotionally and socially as a result of bullying and prejudice. As long-time educator, David Thomas expressed, “Parents give us the best that they have, but… for a lot of students who are gay, their first bullies are their parents.”
The central questions guiding this Courageous Conversation are this: What role should schools play regarding policies, instruction, and classroom discussions related to sexual and gender identity? How can schools respect parents' rights while ensuring that students are well-supported and have a safe place to learn?
Even though many of our guests didn’t always see eye to eye, they all agreed that more respectful conversations about topics like this need to continue.
Featured Guests:
Meg Kilgannon
Senior Fellow for Education Studies & Family Research Council
Washington D.C.
Meg Kilgannon is a Senior Fellow for Education Studies at Family Research Council. Previously she served at the U.S. Department of Education as Director of the Office of Faith and Opportunity Initiatives in the Trump Administration.
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Meg combines her expertise in education policy with her skills as a coalition builder to promote excellence and accountability in America's public schools. She spearheaded dynamic change in her community by organizing parent groups to lobby school board members on important issues. Her leadership on these issues inspired the Virginia Family Foundation to name Meg as their Citizen of the Year in 2019.
Meg is a long-time advocate for women and children and a member of Hands Across the Aisle women's coalition, a multi-partisan international group of women working to preserve the rights of women and girls. She is also a trained FertilityCare Practitioner and former natural family planning consultant.
Meg began her career as an account executive for a public relations firm and served as the director of media relations for a national senior citizens organization and has experience in radio and television production. She is married with four children and is an active member of her parish. A graduate of Washington & Lee University, she enjoys time with family, hiking, fly fishing, and reading.
Norah Laughter
Recent High School Graduate
Russellville, Kentucky
Norah Laughter (she/her) is the Co-Editor-In-Chief of the Student Voice Forum for the Kentucky Student Voice Team. She will be attending Yale University in the fall of 2022.
Joe Murray
Middle School History Teacher & Attorney
Memphis, Tennessee
A successful trial attorney, civil rights litigator, educator, and public policy expert working out of Oakland, Tennessee, Joe is now hoping to use the same energy and determination that made him a success in those fields to produce thought-provoking books and commentaries. It is Joe’s hope to challenge people to think outside the box and unchain them from the preconceived notions forced upon them by their identities.
David Thomas
Licensed Principal & Educator
Fort Myers, Florida
David Thomas has been an educator for over 22 years that includes teacher, athletic director, counselor, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal and Principal Master of School Administration. He holds a Masters of Counseling from UNC Chapel Hill and happily married to his husband since March 27, 2021. We came into contact with David after discovering his recent article, A Gay Florida Educator on the Terror of What's to Come, that details how the Florida’s proposed “don’t say gay” bill will damage children, terrify teachers, and smear LGBTQ+ families.
Brenda Lebsack
Teacher at Santa Ana Unified School District
Orange, California
Brenda Lebsack has been in public education since 1990. She has taught all grades from PreK-12. She has taught general education, special education and alternative ed. She has a Masters in Education from Chapman University. She has taught in San Jose, Las Vegas, Riverside and Orange County.
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She is currently an Adapted PE teacher in Santa Ana Unified. She was a school board member in Orange Unified from 2016-2020. She and her husband (of 36 years) have been in Christian pastoral ministry all of their married lives. They have two grown children, one grandchild, and one on the way. In 2021 Brenda started an organization called Interfaith Statewide Coalition: www.Interfaith4Kids.com.
Ken Futernick
Host, Moderator, & Teacher Educator
Placerville, California
The Courageous Conversations About Our Schools podcast is hosted by Ken Futernick. Ken is an experienced moderator, a teacher educator, and a long-time advocate for collaboration and civil dialogue.