If you thought the Howard County Public Schools had reached their limit of offering programs for children that are inappropriate with their "BLM Week" of hate filled lessons, you thought wrong. This week, the county is doing their version of "hold my beer" on many fronts.

Let's hope that beer doesn't end up being drunk by a minor. Based on the judgement of the Howard County Public Schools, nothing would surprise us.

On February 22nd, the Howard County Public Schools, in conjunction with the Howard County Government's LGBTQia+ Commission, and a group called "Silhouette Stages" will be hosting this "family event:"

Did you catch the name of this event? Did you also see the entertainment they will be providing?

Let's talk about this group:

LGBTQIA+ Commission | Howard County

Yes, folks in Howard County, you likely pay for this commission either with actual funds OR the time of your paid staff.

Here is how it is described on their Howard County Government Page:

The Howard County LGBTQ+ Workgroup was established on November 1, 2019. County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order to create an LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+) Workgroup to promote the shared community values of diversity and civility. The Workgroup partnered with county agencies, non-profit organizations, and other community groups to facilitate an environment of inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect throughout Howard County.

The LGBTQ+ Workgroup held quarterly meetings that were open to the public and provided a yearly report to the County Executive that addressed and identified current and emerging issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community, and ended on April 1, 2021.

In October 2022, the County Executive and County Council voted to establish a permanent LGBTQIA+ Commission to continue the much-needed work of equity, inclusion, communication, understanding, and respect for all gender and sexual identities. The purpose of this Commission is to advance policy and systemic change for all persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Non-binary, and other capacities along the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. The Commission is comprised of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 21 members who meet bi-monthly as of January 12, 2023.

To contact the Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission, you can send an email to [email protected]. 

The group has set procedures, regular meetings, and hosts events. According to one agenda, they even have this that they describe in the agenda as:

➢ Gender Neutral Restroom business cards (final approval)

What exactly is a "neutral restroom business card" and who carries one? Is it an admission ticket to a bathroom that is the opposite of one's actual gender? Who knows.

Here is that agenda:

LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA 1.18.25_0.pdf

There is no mention of a treasurer or a budget, so it is possible that the group doesn't cost the county money. However, county employees do spend work time attending meetings and events. Do other community groups or designations like conservative parents get this treatment?

Obviously, the commission is pivotal in the event displayed above.

Let's talk about the entertainment for this event. It's scenes from a Broadway called "Kinky Boots." Here's one of those scenes:

The Fabulously ICONIC 'Sex Is In The Heel' (Matt Henry) | Kinky Boots

Looks appropriate for any school aged child, right?

Here's a synopsis of the film from Wikipedia:

Kinky Boots (film) - Wikipedia

Here's a screen capture of one of the scenes:

As we watch the scenes, it is clear that the songs are catchy, the dancing is good, etc. For an adult audience, the play is fine. We have no problem with adults making choices of the movies and plays they want to watch. If you go to the website of this production, you will see fans who are adults talking about how they love the play. You see zero children.

That's because the play is not appropriate for children.

I also wonder about the "Q&A" promised during the event. It says it will be about "belonging." What angle of "belonging" would that be? Would it include how to become a different gender via disfiguring, mutilating surgery or damaging hormone blockers? Will there be answers about having to be on hormones and drugs for the rest of your life? Doubtful.

Will the event include tolerance for everyone? Or will it exclude the people who don't approve of this show for children? Will the opinions about it not being appropriate for school aged children be shouted down by the LGBTQiA+ "commission?" They don't usually have tolerance for that.

Some will say that because this event is not mandatory, that parents should be able to attend and bring their school aged children if they want. We should just let it be. If that's the case, let's allow children of all ages to attend any movies, including those with X ratings. What about strip shows? Casinos? (Don't try to take your underaged child to the floor of a Casino.) Should we let children read pornographic magazines? Will the Howard County Public Schools promote those things with events as well as well?

There's the bigger problem with this event.

There is NO reason why the Howard County Public Schools should have their name attached to it. When the schools put their name on an event it's a de facto endorsement. They are saying that the event is suitable for the children who attend their schools. Parents often depend on the schools to give guidance about which public events will be okay for their children. This event is not okay, any more than drag queen shows at bars are.

What's next? Based on the judgement of the Howard County Public Schools, we don't even want to think about that.

There are better events to share with families and endorse, Howard County. You should really try to do better.

But I guess those events don't have a radical county sponsored "committee" lobbying to promote them.