An English secondary school that is said to be encouraging its pupils to swap their school uniforms to appear “fully” dressed up as drag queens to celebrate Pride on June 16 has sparked controversy in the UK.
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“All students of any gender are encouraged to wear something rainbow or colorful. They will be able to express themselves by doing something small, such as wearing a tutus, applying makeup, painting their nails and even donning drag-drops outright,” reads a letter to New Mills secondary school parents, shared by The Telegraph on Tuesday.
Towing stations would be provided for students to apply glitter, make-up and nail polish, while a prize-giving parade would be organized for the event, said Thomas Robertson, head of the schools science department.
A drag queen would also have been invited to address the issue of mental health with the students.
“Note that in addition to the data on suicides, data and facts about homophobia and bullying are also shared,” the teacher added in writing, according to British media.
However, the letter would have immediately provoked strong reactions from parents and staff at the facility, many of whom said they feared the school had gone too far.
Last year, Pride Day was celebrated with an inconsistent day and cupcakes, one member of the establishment said on condition of anonymity.
“But this year it’s a whole different league. They put resistance at the center of the issue, which I think is quite controversial. Drag is a really sexualized parody of women: right on stage, not in a school,” he told UK media.
Tracy Shaw, from parent group Alliance for Safe Schools UK, said she was very concerned that a drag queen was raising the sensitive issue.
“Nobody without specific and thorough training in protection and mental health should speak to children about the issue. Once again safety has been left aside as the school seems more interested in showing how ‘inclusive’ it is,” she commented, according to The Telegraph.