Parents in upstate New York are fed up—and rightfully so. At a fiery school board meeting this week in Monroe County, outraged moms and dads demanded answers after learning that their elementary school children, some as young as five years old, were exposed to a graphic LGBTQ-themed book containing depictions of nudity and bondage attire.
The book in question, “The Rainbow Parade: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Identities and Allies”, was shown to students in grades 1 through 5 at Penfield schools. Parents packed the auditorium to confront the Penfield school board and Superintendent Tasha Potter, who faced a wave of anger for allowing such explicit content in elementary classrooms.
The book follows a young girl and her two mothers attending an LGBT pride parade, highlighting themes of “gender identity exploration” and encouraging children to “break down stereotypes.” But what truly sparked outrage were the disturbing illustrations: images of a naked person seen from behind, individuals dressed as “furries,” and two men clad in leather BDSM gear—a concept wholly inappropriate for impressionable young children.
“If you think that that’s appropriate for children to see, then there’s something wrong with you,” said John Feathers, a father at the meeting. “You need a mental evaluation. There’s no reason that should be in the schools whatsoever at all.” Feathers held up the book, pointing out the explicit images that left many parents in the audience shaking their heads in disbelief. “You can see the guy’s butt is clearly out,” he added. “And then if you go over on this side of the picture, there’s two guys standing in bondage right there.”
Instead of acknowledging the parents’ concerns, Superintendent Potter tried to brush off the complaints, condescendingly citing district protocols for challenging school materials. But parents weren’t having it. As Potter attempted to speak, boos erupted from the crowd. “We are here at our board meeting, conducting our business,” she said, only to be met with even louder jeers.
“It’s OUR board meeting!” one parent shouted, emphasizing that taxpayers—not bureaucrats—foot the bill for the district. “We pay you!” another father yelled.
Rather than address the parents’ legitimate concerns, the school board abruptly ended the meeting and walked out, ignoring calls for accountability. “They’re just leaving?” a stunned parent asked while filming the scene, capturing the frustration shared by so many in the room.
The controversy didn’t just stay local—it quickly went viral. A video of the heated meeting, shared by the popular account Libs of TikTok, caught the attention of Elon Musk. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief and world’s richest man simply responded with a telling remark: “A kindergartner…”—underscoring the absurdity of exposing young children to adult-themed materials.
Parents across the country are increasingly sounding the alarm on radical gender ideology and sexualized content infiltrating public schools under the guise of “diversity” and “inclusivity.” But common sense is making a comeback, and parents are reclaiming their rightful role in deciding what’s appropriate for their kids.
“The Rainbow Parade” controversy is just the latest example of how far some school districts are willing to go to push progressive agendas—at the expense of childhood innocence. While district officials may try to dodge accountability, parents in Penfield are making it clear: enough is enough. Schools are meant to educate children, not indoctrinate them with radical ideologies or expose them to adult content.
This fight isn’t over. Parents are mobilizing, demanding transparency, and standing up for what’s right. And as one parent so powerfully put it during the meeting: “We pay you. You work for us.”
It’s high time school boards remember that.
