“They’re Too Young”: California Parents Protest Pride Event At An Elementary School, Fights Erupt

Credit: Fox News

A California father is boycotting his daughter’s school. He said he is “fed up” with school officials after they reportedly did not listen to the parent’s concerns about a Pride event.

On Friday, protests occurred in North Hollywood as angry parents converged with counter-protestors outside of the Saticoy Elementary School. This was the same day as the planned assembly that spurred a community reaction. 

Manuk Grigoryan, a father of four, was one of the parents who took to protesting with the other parents over the school’s choice to hold a Pride event. He said he was refusing to send his kids back until he can speak directly with school officials.

“They’re too young. It wasn’t about the issue of the book itself only because after the book was supposed to be read, they were supposed to turn around and have a discussion about what they just read and heard,” Grigoryan said during “Fox & Friends”.

“When we want to speak with them and have these discussions, they totally ignore us, and they just don’t want to talk to us, and I’m fed up, and the school is not safe for my children,” he continued. 

“I’m not going to take my kids back until they come out and talk to us.”

Some parents that were protesting had taken an issue with the reading of the book, “The Great Big Book of Families,” which includes depictions of various types of families, including some with LGBTQ+ parents. It was read during the planned assembly. 

The Associated Press reported that those protesting against the assembly outnumbered those in support of it. 

Some of the protestors wore shirts with phrases like “No Pride in Grooming” and “Leave our kids alone.”

Grigoryan said he takes issue with his 8-year-old twin daughters being exposed to such materials without his knowledge.

“We found out about this assembly back in early May, and we have made numerous attempts to contact school officials and have a meeting with them,” Grigoryan said. 

“We did have a meeting with the principal, but she couldn’t be helpful. So we asked to speak with [L.A. Schools Superintendent Alberto] Carvalho. We made numerous attempts to contact him, but he ignored every opportunity that we had to speak with him. He just didn’t want to acknowledge us, and we had no choice but to take it to the streets.”

Fox News reported:

The school district released a statement in response saying, “Los Angeles Unified remains committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students. We are also committed to ensuring diversity and inclusivity… In addition, out of an abundance of caution, the Los Angeles School Police Department will be providing additional patrols around the campus.”

However, Grigoryan said he remains committed to getting answers and will continue to speak out.

“I will fight this fight as long as I have to,” Grigoryan said. 

“We will not be silenced no matter how big they are, we will not be silenced.”

A Pride parade occurred in West Hollywood at the same time as the event at the school.

It was marketed as fun for “the whole family” and caused a commotion online after graphic videos from the parade were shared on social media.

West Hollywood had a three-day “WeHo Pride” event last weekend featuring concerts, a street fair, a “Women’s Freedom Festival,” and a “dyke march.” The event ended with a “WeHo Pride Parade” on Sunday, which was billed as appropriate for the entire family. 

“The WeHo Pride Parade will step off at noon on Sunday, June 4th along Santa Monica Blvd. from Crescent Heights to San Vicente and is a colorful and entertaining event for the whole family. Last year’s parade drew out tens of thousands of spectators to the streets of West Hollywood!” the website said.

“Two men performed a sex act in public as BDSM flags were displayed during the ‘family friendly’ West Hollywood Pride Parade yesterday. A witness to the ‘float’ informed Reduxx that there were children in attendance,” the outlet ReduxxMag tweeted.

A journalist shared a video from the event with the outlet and said there were thousands of people lined in the streets and many kids were present.

“They’re Too Young”: California Parents Protest Pride Event At An Elementary School, Fights Erupt

“Tons of kids were present — thousands of people, including families, lined both sides of the public boulevard, yelling & cheering. Sunny Sunday afternoon. No gatekeeping possible,” Belissa Cohen wrote.

This Pride Month has started with a bang, including the call for boycotting Target. Many parents are calling to boycott Target over claims that Target is promoting “tucking” with bathing suits aimed at children, as well as Pride-branded clothing and merchandise.