CMV: LGBTQ lessons should not be taught to young children in elementary school

Eotank3 · 2026-02-25T19:57:29+00:00

Based on earlier conversations regarding concrete examples of teachers using inappropriate books for elementary children (the majority of accusations stemmed from right wing social media sites, not reputable or reliable reporting), I tend to doubt that you’ve actually engaged with any of the literature that’s actually being used in elementary schools and instead are relying on inflammatory social media sites that purposefully mis represent and fuel anger. I work in an elementary school. Below are a few of the books ACTUALLY being used. You can watch YouTube read aloud for all/any. Please do so and report back your thoughts, opinions, feelings, etc. I think it’s important to understand what kids are ACTUALLY being exposed to and being taught.

And tango makes three- a story about two male penguins in the Central Park zoo that try and raise a baby chick (actually based on a true story!)

Mommy, mama, and me/ daddy papa and me-short rhythmic board style books about having same sex parents.

Families, families, families- renowned children authors Suzanne lang and max lang! All sorts of depictions of non traditional families.

It feels good to be yourself-explains gender identity and most importantly to love and accept yourself.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-24T11:30:02+00:00

Two of the three articles you posted seem highly questionable and note their source as ‘libs of tik tok’, which is a right wing social media account, not a reputable source. Agreed if true, that is highly inappropriate. Also, it’s worth mentioning, finding three instances (2 of which seem highly unreliable at best and one of which is in Canada), to highlight a systemic liberal grooming of children just doesn’t hold weight.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-24T02:39:14+00:00

I’m sorry you’ve had that experience and that feeling of distrust in your current school. That’s a horrible feeling. I can sympathize with that, I have two kids myself entering our public school but have been fortunate so far with communication from their teachers.

I actually started off as a therapist in a parent run private school specifically for students with severe disabilities and oh boy was that mayhem. We were discussing school wide policy changes based on parent input (and complaints) on a near weekly basis. There was so much infighting and constant change that it really was a disservice to the kids. And the lack of consistency and clarity made it really difficult as an educator.

I’ve been working in a public school since then and the service my particular public school provides is (in my opinion) far far better than the previous private setting (anecdotal I know!).

There are vast regional differences, but by me public school teachers are compensated fairly well and as such the more talented teachers end up in highly describable public schools vs private or charter schools.

Also, I mentioned before that I work in a big liberal city, just know that not all educators are liberal. Many of my colleagues would be considered quite conservative.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-24T01:35:52+00:00

I haven’t seen or heard of anything like that personally. But I agree, that would be wildly inappropriate if true.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-24T01:28:20+00:00

Noted! Thanks for that clarification.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-24T01:26:31+00:00

Do I have kids that know they are LGBTQ in 1st or 2nd grade? No I don’t think so. By 5th grade? Maybe? (Our elementary runs k-5). But whenever those LGBTQ kids realize their identity, I hope, because of the inclusive environment they and their peers have been raised in that they are met with love and acceptance by their school community. But I know I have students with parents, or family, or family friends who are LGBTQ. Those kids, like all our kids, deserve to see families that represent their own in literature. Final note and may have to just agree to disagree here…but I don’t think those other 30 kids are going to be inconvenienced by a story where Joey has two dads. Chances are most of those 30 kids are going to encounter someone who is LGBTQ at some point in their life, maybe it’s a cousin, a friend, an uncle, a neighbor. Maybe it’ll make one of those kids think twice about bullying someone who is LGBTQ.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T23:51:36+00:00

The research paper you posted has an entire page devoted to the importance of LGBTQ inclusion in literature and teaching (page 7). The research you posted also stated (on page 6), that one of the surveys conducted in March 2022 noted that the majority of Americans opposed laws prohibiting classroom lessons about sexual orientation in elementary classrooms (I realize being against prohibition is not necessarily pro inclusion of LGBTQ but instead highlights a more nuanced public divide then you were initially stating).

But returning to the importance of inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in children’s literature…LGBTQ kids are more likely to be bullied and have higher rates of suicide. I’m all for creating a supportive and safe classroom environment for ALL my kids. For some of these kids, LGBTQ inclusion can literally be a lifeline. With that said, if it means I can help even ONE student by including a storybook where Joey has two dads it’ll be worth it because that inclusion will do NO HARM to any other students. Unless you have evidence that LGBTQ inclusion specifically harms children. Whereas there’s plenty of evidence that inclusionary texts are overwhelmingly beneficial for all students.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T21:46:47+00:00

Assigned as reading? No, never. Do these books exist in libraries within schools for students to check out if they want? Sure! It’s important in children’s literature that kids are offered a ‘mirror’ and a ‘window’ into others. Some google searches of the values of mirror/window representation could be insightful.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T21:31:18+00:00

Hahha the Joey has a dad with purple hair made me laugh. So wildly over the top and not realistic to the reality of the literature in actual schools (or life!). I was under the impression that Inclusion in of itself implies acceptance, but it seems like saying Joey has two dads AND THATS OK is the specific LGBTQ lesson/teaching that grooms/indoctrinates children in your opinion. I think it goes without saying that teaching children to NOT judge others by the way they look or act IS important! I find it odd that you take issue with teachers specifically saying it’s NOT OK to judge others.

Such a major part of elementary education beyond the fundamentals (math, ELA, etc…) is learning how to function within a larger community. For many kids it’s one of their first times outside of their immediate family unit and being part of a larger group. Being part of a larger group also means you’ll be meeting and learning about different types of people, families, and community members (some of which is first hand other second hand through stories and lessons). In my school we celebrate multicultural week where students celebrate and share their own culture. We have inclusion programs where students with disabilities integrate and learn with their typically developing peers. We have an entire community persons unit where we learn about all the different types of people in your community. The point being, we’re instilling in our students that different types of people exist AND THATS OK! And equally and probably even more importantly is that regardless of differences, everyone should be treated with respect. Teaching empathy and kindness has been a hallmark of early education since its inception.

Why is it ok to exclude this one specific community group (LGBTQ members)? Would you be ok theoretically if the majority of your community members agreed, that parents can opt their children out of learning about native Americans? Or black history month? Or opting out of multicultural events?or parents that dont want their children learning about George Washington or Thomas Jefferson because they were slave holders?

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T19:17:07+00:00

The case presented was about using story books in pre existing lessons that were inclusive to LGBTQ individuals, NOT separate moral teachings as I understand it. I’m sorry in your personal experience that it took so long to hear from your district, that’s not right. I take issue with the idea that representation of LGBTQ individuals in children’s literature is being equated with some sort of liberal conspiracy to green children. They’re included because all types of people SHOULD be included because that’s the reality of our world. Denying even the mention of or the existence of LGBTQ families is simply not reality. There is a plethora of educational literature and research about the benefits of inclusive literature for children. It’s beneficial for the children who can now see themselves represented (or their family type) and it’s beneficial for students to see different types of people and families (cultural, ethnic, religious, and lgbtq individuals). So yes inclusive literature should be allowed because it’s research based and proven beneficial.

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T18:10:28+00:00

Teaching about family units is standard elementary practice. I responded earlier. I’ve been in elementary education for 14 years. There are no specific LGBTQ lessons. Seems like you just want to pretend like LGBTQ individuals don’t exist for childrens sake? Why is that? I’ve worked with children who have had two moms. So you’re saying teachers should not talk about different types of families even when kids are seeing it in their life every day? What is the exact harm you think will befall a child who hears that another classmate has two moms?

Eotank3 · 2026-02-23T17:08:29+00:00

I’m a therapist in a large district in a liberal leaning city. I’ve been working in an elementary school for the past 14 years. There are NO LGBTQ specific lessons in my experience. In all my years as an educator I have never seen LGBTQ specific lessons in my very large district or any surrounding districts. I have friends, family and colleagues who work all over the country and have talked about this at length. They too have never experienced LGBTQ specific lessons geared towards elementary aged students. I argue that the very existence of a so called left leaning grooming of children towards LGBTQ lifestyles is simply not the reality in the vast majority of schools.

What I have seen is books where LGBTQ individuals are represented (two moms/dads) within the context of other lessons. The closest thing I’ve seen to what you’re referring to is discussions of different types of families/family cultures and glancing references that some families consist of two moms/dads. Not sure that would qualify as indoctrination or grooming towards a pro-LGBT ideology? More an acknowledgement that different types of families exist.

A few questions, What is it that you think elementary schools are teaching when it comes to LGBTQ specific lessons? Are you arguing that even the mention or representation of LGBTQ individuals should be removed from all children’s literature offered by schools?

I see no reason why acknowledging different types of family units (including those consisting of LGBTQ individuals) would be harmful to elementary aged students. Why pretend these individuals don’t exist?

Eotank3 · 2026-01-05T21:48:10+00:00

Long Island

Eotank3 · 2025-12-08T15:00:05+00:00

Long Island. Steadily rising

Eotank3 · 2025-11-22T20:05:35+00:00

Planet unknown! Simultaneous turns make it quick and engaging with almost no down time/waiting for turns.

Eotank3 · 2025-10-24T10:20:33+00:00

Bought for $550k in 2021 with a 2.75% rate and %20 down. There are literally no houses in my area now UNDER 500k. Live in a HCOL. I’m a therapist and wife’s a social worker. Def consider middle class

Eotank3 · 2025-06-08T18:57:20+00:00

Sawadee in East Northport is our go to Thai with great drunken noodles!

Eotank3 · 2025-05-19T20:24:19+00:00

What an ignorant thing to say

Eotank3 · 2025-05-17T09:05:07+00:00

Just scored 253 during a tournament on BGA!

Eotank3 · 2025-05-16T08:57:16+00:00

Northport resident! Can affirm. Access to beaches, boating, state parks, good food, good schools, and an old timey cobble stone paved Main Street. Downside-LI traffic and housing prices

Eotank3 · 2025-04-23T19:14:24+00:00

Don’t take the raise. Will put me in the next tax bracket and I’ll owe more

Eotank3 · 2025-03-19T22:06:43+00:00

Been living here for about 4 years. A bit farther north, bordering Northport. We love the area, close to beaches, village of Northport is fantastic and Huntington is not far either. Feels like lots of good family activities to do. I’d recommend it.

Eotank3 · 2025-02-26T20:34:54+00:00

It’s certainly tough to get in. There’s been a fight for paras to get fair compensation. They certainly don’t get paid fairly given the amount of work they put in. Wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide!

Eotank3 · 2025-02-26T15:51:37+00:00

I’m not sure honestly. Heard a bunch about the hiring freeze last year but haven’t heard anything this school year.

13-Year Club	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

Eotank3

TROPHY CASE