California science teacher receives backlash after handing out 'gender unicorn' worksheets to middle school students
A California science teacher is under fire after reportedly handing out "gender identity" worksheets to his class.
What are the details?
Denair Middle School teacher Luis Davila Alvarado — who uses the gender-neutral prefix "Mx" — handed out the worksheet on Wednesday. The sheet also featured discussions on sexual attraction as it pertained to gender identity.
According to the Modesto Bee, Alvarado reportedly gave the worksheets to students to enable them to get to know each other better, and so that they could better understand why the teacher goes by "Mx" rather than "Mr."
The graphic on the worksheet (the "gender unicorn") explained what gender identity is, including guidance on "gender identity," "gender expression," "sex assigned at birth" and more.
Denair Unified School District Superintendent Terry Metzger said that the worksheet was not an assignment and insisted that the students were not required, or even asked, to complete the worksheet. Metzger also pointed out that Alvarado, a second-year teacher of seventh- and eighth-grade science, did not seek the district's permission in passing out the worksheet.
The school's principal, Amanda Silva, "happened to be" in Alvarado's class on the day the teacher handed out the graphic, according to Metzger. When Silva saw the worksheet, she reportedly demanded Alvarado stop handing out the paper in question.
"When she saw the content of the handout, she spoke with the teacher and directed him to stop distributing it," Metzger added. About 50 students received the worksheet.
What else?
Metzger explained, however, that the teacher did not necessarily violate district policy with the worksheet, as such materials are often a component of the district's health classes.
"The principal and I have spoken with the teacher about why we believe this was a poor decision," she explained. "Any discipline is a private matter between the district and the employee."
The outlet reported that many parents were unhappy with the teacher's decision to distribute the handout.
Denair school stops science teacher who was handing out ‘Gender Unicorn’ graphichttps://t.co/6F2gNpyQ0E— Deke Farrow (@DekeFarrow) August 8, 2019
