Broward voters sent a clear message that anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, book banning, and the cultural-war agenda are not welcome on the dais of a board that manages one of the largest school systems in the nation.
Despite Moms for Liberty's resounding defeat, the group, which is known for spreading QAnon-linked conspiracy theories and which the Southern Poverty Law Center has deemed an extremist antigovernment organization, continues to spread baseless claims and cause chaos at Broward school board meetings.
At the October 15 meeting, Corie Pinero, chair of the Broward chapter of Moms for Liberty, claimed that an LGBTQ resolution passed in September was encouraging "sexual immorality" and gender confusion, that schools are providing books with pornographic material, and that schools are "transitioning kids behind their parents' backs."
"We know that there have been kids and it's not a conspiracy theory," Pinero added.
The assertion triggered a recess, during which a shouting match ensued between Pinero and Broward Teachers Union president Anna Fusco.
"Someone's gotta stick up," Fusco protested. "I'm not going to sit here and allow her to say this about us teachers. Am I the only person that stands up for teachers?"
Another person can be heard interjecting, "This doesn't happen at schools," as Fusco admonishes the board to refute Pinero's claim about schools "transitioning children."
Later, on social media, Moms for Liberty Broward doubled down on the "transitioning" claim, citing a flyer announcing the district's recognition of LGBTQ History Month in October and offering an after-school course called LGBT Diversity & Inclusion.
"So no it's not happening, right?" the group posted the following day on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Sun Sentinel education reporter Scott Travis responded, pointing to a legal settlement that was reached in March after advocacy groups, students, civil rights attorneys, and parents challenged the infamous "Don't Say Gay" law. The agreement allowed students and teachers to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity as long it is not part of instruction.So no it’s not happening, right? pic.twitter.com/9NlMWblXy1
— Moms for Liberty-Broward County (@M4LBroward) October 16, 2024
"4:30 p.m. is after school hours. Is there any rule about not doing LGBTQ programming after school?" Travis wrote. "I think the "Don't Say Gay" settlement allows that."
