Education department says Broward schools video on Pride Month is ‘inappropriate’

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Department of Education called a Broward County Public Schools video inappropriate after a school board member used it to promote Pride Month and criticize “anti-LGBTQ+ bills” in state legislatures.

The video featured Broward County School Board Member Sarah Leonardi wearing an Equality Florida shirt that said “LGBTQ Youth Belong in Our Schools.”

The video was posted on the school’s social media and the Broward County Public School’s website.

“The American Civil Liberties Union has identified nearly 500 Anti-LGBTQ plus bills introduced in state legislatures, which is cause for concern,” Leonardi said in the video.

A spokesperson for the state’s education department, Alex Lanfranconi, said the department reached out to Broward County schools to share their “disapproval” and “ensure” it does not happen again.

“It is inappropriate for Broward County Public Schools to allow an elected school board member to use official channels for political activism,” Lanfranconi said. “If School Board Member Leonardi wants to campaign, she should do it on her personal page.”

Florida’s Voice received the following statement from Broward County Public Schools:

The School Board of Broward County approves nearly 100 resolutions a year covering a range of issues such as American Founders’ Month, the National Day of Prayer, Constitution Day, Military Child Month and School Choice Week, to name a few.

The School Board has championed such resolutions for many decades. Board members select up to five resolutions to champion each year through short videos that are posted to the District’s website, shared on social media and distributed through other channels. The process for all resolutions is the same for all Board members.

Chief Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer John Sullivan, BCPS

Florida approved legislation to prohibit teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools in PreK-8th grade. The legislation goes into effect July 1.

The State Board of Education approved a rule prohibit instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity through 12th grade in public schools with some exceptions. That rule is in effect.

Florida lawmakers approved legislation to ban sex reassignment surgeries and certain medications for minors.

“I believe we are at a critical juncture in our nation when it comes to protecting the rights of marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ plus community,” Leonardi said in the video.

Leonardi said Pride Month has taken a “higher level of urgency” because discrimination and violence agains the LGBTQ community is “on the rise.”

“The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans are being challenged across the country,” the school board member said.

The video included pictures of a sign that said “I (heart) my transgender child!”

It also described the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and detailed how it was “considered the birth of the movement to outlaw discriminatory practices against LGBTQ+ Americans.”

“The right to love who you love and live authentically without threat of retribution is fundamental to our liberties and social order,” she said. “There’s too much at stake to allow hate to try and overlap.”

“We must all work together to ensure all our students learn to value and respect others despite our differences,” Leonardi said.

“Please join me in showing your support for members of the LGBTQ plus community during pride month in June,” she ended with.

UPDATE: This story has been updated with a statement from Broward County Public Schools.