Portland Public Schools (PPS) opened its official back-to-school video for staff with drag performer Poison Waters, prompting criticism from conservative education advocates who claim the district is promoting gender ideology. The video, posted to the district's official Facebook account, featured Waters, whose legal name is Kevin Cook, thanking teachers, principals, and staff for their dedication as the 2026-27 school year began.
Poison Waters appeared first in the video, identified as an advocate, educator, and host. "I’m here to wish you all a successful 2026, 2027 school year and to thank all the amazing principals, teachers, and staff for your dedication to your students and their learning," Waters said. "While we can often get caught up in the hustle and bustle, it’s so important to remember that together we rise with excellence and purpose."
Heritage Foundation education research fellow Corey DeAngelis criticized the district's decision, stating that the "government school system is trying to groom young impressionable minds into gender ideology." He further alleged that the schools aim "to brainwash other people’s kids and replace their families," asserting that the school system has overstepped its boundaries and should "stay in its lane." DeAngelis suggested the video serves as "free advertising for school choice and homeschooling," emphasizing that parents should have the power to direct their children's education funding to schools that align with their values.
Sonja Shaw, a candidate for California superintendent of public instruction, called the inclusion of Waters an intentional ideological choice. "That wasn’t an accident. It was a choice. And it tells you exactly where the district’s priorities are," Shaw said. "Public schools exist to educate children in reading, writing, math, science and critical thinking. They are not stages for adult entertainment or ideological and cultural signaling." She urged for the removal of politics and adult entertainment from schools to refocus on education.
Tina Descovich, CEO and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, stated that no student should be welcomed back to class by a man in drag. "Portland Public Schools has been unabashed about its objectives: hijacking the classroom to push a sexualized curriculum and progressive viewpoints on impressionable children," Descovich said. "We see exactly what this district (backed fully by teachers unions) is doing, and Moms for Liberty will keep fighting to protect our children from the left’s indoctrination and get students back to learning again."
The PPS video also included messages from Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Maxine Dexter. A Portland State University profile describes Waters as a longtime performer, advocate, and educator who has taught a course on drag performance history at Portland Community College and received an honorary doctorate from Portland State in 2025.
The welcome video emerged weeks after a Portland mother, Allison Roberts, filed a lawsuit against PPS and her children's elementary school. Roberts alleges that district officials retaliated against her for objecting to the school's gender-identity curriculum and an intersex-inclusive Progress Pride flag. Portland Public Schools had previously declined to comment on the pending legal case. Representatives for Portland Public Schools, Poison Waters, and Rep. Dexter's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the welcome-back video.