Back in September, we warned parents about special observance days and events related to sexuality and transgender ideology showing up in public schools. Parents need to know that in addition to the official school calendar approved by their school committee, another “unofficial” school calendar may influence their child’s education: Sex on the School Calendar. Some of these days have already been observed in MA schools this year and many districts still have other celebrations planned. For example, Newton schools celebrated “Transgender Awareness Week” and the Arlington School District is already preparing for its districtwide Pride celebration in May. We encourage parents to check out Massachusetts Informed Parent’s (MIP) Sex on the School Calendar graphic to know what to look out for in their local district.
When MIP published its calendar in September, the date for the “National Day of Reading” was not yet available, however, it has since been announced that this nationwide observance is set for February 28th, 2025.
This event has a seemingly benign name that can easily be confused with other observances, like World Read Aloud Day, also held in February. However, the National Day of Reading is far from benign.
This screenshot is from the Human Rights Campaign website.
The National Day of Reading is backed by the progressive activist group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) through its Welcoming Schools Initiative and is promoted by both the American Association of School Librarians and the American Library Association (ALA).
According to HRC, Welcoming Schools offers educators and youth-serving professionals training, lesson plans, booklists, and resources to promote LGBTQ+ and “gender-inclusive” content.
In other words, this project is a vehicle for pushing a progressive sexual agenda into schools, using teachers and school librarians to do it.
The American Association of School Librarians promoted the HRC’s Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading on its social media accounts on February 17th.
The 2025 National Day of Reading is themed “A Celebration of Trans Stories.” According to the Organizing Toolkit provided on the ALA’s website, this year’s event will highlight books featuring diverse queer identities, including individuals with both male and female attributes and non-binary parents.
The books recommended to read are listed below. MFI has reviewed the titles and summarized their content:
My Maddy is about a parent who does not want to be seen as either a mother or father.
Kapaemahu is about an indigenous legend. On the surface, the story does not appear to be about gender identity, but the narrative seeds the idea of “gendered spirit” and the false notion that someone can be both male and female.
I Am Jazz is the story of social media influencer Jazz Jennings, a child who “transitioned” from male to female. This book, which teaches kids it is possible to have a girl’s brain in a boy’s body, was written in 2014 when Jazz was still a child. It does not address the severe psychological struggles and physical issues that the now-adult Jazz has faced since.
Felix Ever After is a pervasively profane book about a group of gender-confused, sexually active, drug-abusing teens.
The book promotions are most certainly concerning, but equally troubling are the suggested student discussion questions in the Organizing Toolkit which reinforce the “transgender” lie, such as asking how a book highlights the importance of “affirming” transgender and non-binary youth. Additional recommended educator resources in the toolkit to further promote transgender ideology in the classroom include “Understanding Neopronouns,” “LGBTQ+ Words for Children,” and “The Gender Snowperson.”
The blue and yellow HRC logo is prominently displayed on the door of an elementary
school classroom in Bedford.
Parents, we know that the HRC already has a presence in MA schools. Earlier this month in the MIP FB group, a Bedford parent posted a photo of the blue and yellow HRC logo prominently displayed on the door of an elementary school classroom (see above). Last September, the HRC appeared on a resource list provided to schools by the MA Attorney General’s office, and last October the Amherst Regional School District announced its pursuit of districtwide “Welcoming Schools Seal of Excellence” certification from the HRC. While the HRC promotes many ideas at odds with some of the Trump administration’s recent Executive Orders, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has doubled down on pushing gender ideology. Parents must remain vigilant and monitor whether these harmful ideas are being pushed in their child’s school.
Is your school district celebrating the HRC’s National Day of Reading on February 25th? Find out. If they are, let us know. More importantly, opt your child out. If your school denies your opt-out request, let us know that, too. Send an email to [email protected].
And if you’re looking for a positive alternative to books like the ones pushed by the HRC and other woke ideologues, check out this great list of classic literature from Simply Charlotte Mason, or faith-based children’s books from Brave Books.
MFI remains committed to protecting children from ideological indoctrination and defending parental rights in education. Your generous support fortifies our efforts—donate today!
