'Our values are under attack': Board bans pornography, adds to Parent's Bill of Rights
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Thursday afternoon, the Oklahoma State Board of Education approved new rules banning pornographic materials in schools.
It also approved a change to the Parent's Bill of Rights, adding language that directs districts to disclose student identity information, like pronoun changes, to their parents.
Both votes passed unanimously.
Oklahomans packed the boardroom— with the crowd overflowing into the hallway— as a string of speakers on both sides of the debate voiced their opinions to the board and state superintendent.
Nicole McAfee, the executive director of the pro-LGBT group Freedom Oklahoma, voiced opposition to the measures, arguing, "you have the lives of transgender, two-spirit, non-binary, and gender non-conforming youth before you. And if you advance these rules, there will be young people who will die."
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters (R) showed images of books he called pornographic, including pictures of sexual acts, during Thursday's meeting.
Excerpts shared with onlookers included pages taken from Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe andLet's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan.
"Parents are under attack. Our values are under attack," shared Superintendent Walters in reference to the materials.
Despite the state attorney general's office asserting the board couldn't pass the rules without legislative approval, the department argued it has the power.
According to Bryan Cleveland, general counsel for the department, "I'm 100% confident these rules are legal."
Superintendent Walters also unveiled a new email address,parentwatch@sde.ok.gov, that parents can use to report concerning materials to the department.
According to the state superintendent, the department receives such reports on a weekly basis.
"I hear it daily. Parents are concerned about the material in front of their kids. Parents are concerned that secrets are being kept from them," he added.
Walters explained that the measures are now headed to the Oklahoma State Capitol where lawmakers will review them.
If legislators approved of the measures, they will go to Gov. Kevin Stitt (R).
The Oklahoma Education Association expressed disagreement with the board's vote on Twitter, and called Superintendent Walters' presentation, "inaccurate, cruel, and politically motivated."
During Thursday's meeting, the superintendent argued that teachers unions are, "determined to destroy public education."
Superintendent Walters also swore in the board's newest member,Katie Quebedeaux, at the meeting.
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