School district cancels ‘Drag & Donuts’ event after state questions appropriateness

Editor’s note: After reports, this event has been canceled, and this story has been updated accordingly.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FLV) – Orange County School District said it canceled a high school club’s “Drag & Donuts” event following questions from the state on whether the event was age-appropriate.

The state indicated a staff member in attendance could “jeopardize” their professional license.

“As a result of a call from the Florida Department of Education today, the event has been canceled. The Department questioned whether the event was age and developmentally appropriate and indicated any administrator, teacher, or staff member in attendance may be investigated and jeopardize their professional license,” the statement said in part.

“Livid” parents and grandparents called a meeting with Boone High School administrators Tuesday after learning about the event, which was sponsored by the high school’s Queer and Ally Alliance Club.

“QAA is excited to announce our annual ‘Drag & Donuts’ event with @mommaashleyrose! Hope to see you all this Thursday in the Media Center,” the flyer said.

The school district said this is the third year the speaker addressed the club.

“The event Donuts & Drag was not a drag show, but an opportunity for the students to hear a positive message of acceptance and love,” said the statement.

A concerned grandparent, Linda Wade, told Florida’s Voice they have a meeting scheduled with Boone High School Principal Hector Maestre on Thursday morning.

“We’re taxpayers and the events that go on at a school on the property should be, in my heart and mind, educational. I was livid,” Wade said.

The club’s flyer showed drag queen “Momma” Ashley Rose, the founder of Rose Dynasty Foundation and Miss Rose Dynasty Pageant, who spoke to lawmakers on Tuesday in opposition of a bill that will penalize businesses and people who admit children to “adult live performances.”

Orange County School Board Member Alicia Farrant released a statement Wednesday and said “I have been made aware of a drag queen event that will be happening at one of our High Schools.”

“I am looking into this to get further details but would like parents to know that I do NOT condone this type of event,” Farrant said.

“We need to be RAISING the standard of excellence in our schools and helping students excel academically, not inviting drag queens in to eat donuts with our children,” Farrant said.

Several people have expressed concerns about the Boone High School’s Queer and Ally Alliance Club’s Name Change Presentation powerpoint, which is linked on the club’s Linktree/Instagram account.

Following the event’s cancellation, Florida’s Voice discovered the Linktree has since been removed from the Instagram account.

The powerpoint instructs students to fill out a student registration Form and email it to the appropriate school. The presentation includes the Orange County Public Schools’ logo.

Florida’s Voice reached out to the district about the powerpoint and concerns from residents.

“The district is looking into the source of the presentation and the unauthorized use of our official logo,” an Orange County Public Schools spokesperson told Florida’s Voice in a statement.

The presentation said, “You are probably going to need a parent and/or other adult’s help with these forms! Remember, there are people at Boone who are ready and able to help with whatever you may need!”

“It will seem like you’re registering for school over again, but trust the process,” the powerpoint said.

A spokesperson for Orange County Public Schools said all changes to enrollment or registration requires the approval of a parent and/or guardian, unless the student is over 18 years of age.