69传媒

Equity & Diversity Video

State Canceled School Club鈥檚 Queer Alliance Drag and Donuts, Here鈥檚 What 69传媒 Did Next

By Kaylee Domzalski & Ileana Najarro 鈥 April 10, 2023 2:38
Scarlett Seyler, president of Boone High School鈥檚 Queer & Ally Alliance Club, stands for a portrait outside the school's Orlando campus on April 6, 2023.
Email Copy URL

The Queer and Ally Alliance student club at Boone High School in Orlando, Fla., planned for its annual Drag and Donuts event on March 23, where a guest speaker would share advice on self-acceptance and self-love.

But following state officials鈥 call to Orange County school district leadership expressing concern over the after-school event鈥檚 appropriateness, the annual event got canceled.

That has prompted a strong response from some students, who see a big-picture threat to their rights.

As state officials move to expand the scope and educator penalties of the Parental Rights in Education law, known by opponents as the 鈥淒on鈥檛 Say Gay鈥 law, Boone QAA club president Scarlett Seyler shared how she hopes educators can help defend all students from such legislation, especially LGBTQ+ students.

Kaylee Domzalski is a video producer for Education Week.
Ileana Najarro is a reporter for Education Week covering race and opportunity in schools across the country.

Video

Federal Video Linda McMahon: 5 Things to Know About Trump's Choice for Education Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate former pro-wrestling CEO Linda McMahon to lead the education department.
1 min read
Teaching Video Teachers, Try This: Teach Kindness Through Words and Actions
This 4th grade teacher creates lessons and projects around showing kindness.
2:49
Federal Video Trump鈥檚 Pledge to Ax the Education Department: Can He Do That?
Trump would need approval from Congress to dismantle the Education Department or change federal education policy.
1 min read
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Evan Vucci/AP
School & District Management Video 鈥業鈥檓 Not About Making Excuses鈥: Lessons From the National Principal of the Year
With this targeted approach, the National Principal of the Year improved student test scores in reading and math.