An Oregon middle school hosted a full week of LGBTQ-themed events—including a day where children were encouraged to dress in drag—without properly informing parents ahead of time, sparking outrage.
Arts & Technology Academy, part of Eugene School District 4J, held a “Pride Spirit Week” to celebrate Pride Month, according to a memo obtained by Fox News Digital. Each day had a different theme, including “Drag Day,” where students were encouraged to “dress like a drag queen/king/monarch or dress up as a different gender.”
Other days included “Rainbow-Out” (wearing as many colors as possible), “Remembrance Day” (wearing black to honor deceased LGBTQIA+ individuals), “Queer Hero Day” (dressing as LGBTQ figures like Freddie Mercury), and “Pride Flag Friday,” encouraging kids to dress as any pride flag of their choice.
Parents, however, weren’t given a heads-up. One concerned parent said the school only sent an email Monday afternoon—after school had already ended—leaving families blindsided as the week’s activities began without warning.
Under Oregon law, schools must notify families before teaching anything related to human sexuality. The district claims the events didn’t qualify under that rule, but admitted they should have communicated earlier.
The school district, which supports the state’s LGBT+ Student Success Plan, defended the Pride Week and said it aligned with their goals of promoting “inclusive, safe learning spaces.”
“We remain deeply committed to fostering inclusive, safe learning spaces — and doing so in partnership with families,” the district said, despite failing to partner with families in this case.
Eugene 4J has taken an aggressive stance against efforts by President Donald Trump and others to root out radical gender ideology from public schools. In January, the school board even passed a resolution affirming its support for “gender identity and expression,” pushing back against President Trump’s executive order affirming that there are two biological sexes.
The district was also the first in the nation to join a federal lawsuit challenging Department of Education rules that bar race-based preferences in school operations—arguing it infringes on their so-called “equity” programs.
Parents across the country have raised growing concerns about schools exposing children to progressive gender and sexual ideologies without consent. This Oregon incident is just the latest flashpoint in a national battle over who controls what children are taught in public classrooms.