A mother in Washington state is withdrawing her children from Martha Lake Elementary School in the Edmonds School District, stating she no longer trusts the school's leadership. The decision follows an incident on June 15 where a Pride-themed video was presented to students in a music class without advance notice to parents or an opportunity to opt out.
Maria Varchetto, the mother, expressed her frustration in communications with school administrators, which she shared with Fox News Digital. She stated there was no email consent request, no advance notice, and no information provided about the lesson's content. She also noted the absence of an option for students to participate in an alternative activity.
The video shown to her fourth-grade daughter was titled “Why is Pride in June,” from the YouTube account “Queer Kid Stuff.” The channel describes itself as an LGBTQ+ educational web series for children aged 3 and older, aiming to imagine a kinder and more equal future through accessible education and entertainment. The video was reportedly shown as part of a music class.
Varchetto indicated that other materials included a list of videos by LGBTQ+ musicians, such as Freddie Mercury, Lil Nas X, and Billy Porter. Her daughter recalled hearing during the lesson that students could identify with various sexual orientations and gender identities, including gay, lesbian, transgender, asexual, nonbinary, or Two-Spirit.
She reported that an administrator claimed not to be aware these topics were part of the discussion, leaving Varchetto questioning the full extent of the lesson. She stated that typically music classes send handouts home, but none were provided for this lesson. When Varchetto requested a copy of the lesson materials, she was told they could only be reviewed in person, not sent electronically.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Edmonds School District clarified that the lesson was not part of a districtwide Pride curriculum. The district stated it was a music lesson developed by the school's music teacher to highlight the contributions of influential musicians, some of whom identify as LGBTQ+. The spokesperson added that discussions about an artist's background or identity were included as relevant biographical context, comparable to how students learn about other historical figures. The district stated it expects instructional materials to be age-appropriate and aligned with district expectations and state standards, and that it would investigate the matter.
Varchetto conveyed that she felt