Resident alleges sexualized conduct at a Pride event near elementary school; board takes comment under advisement

During the audience comment period on April 21, resident Dawn Land addressed the Sumner Bonney Lake School District board and said she attended a Pride event at Donald Iseman Elementary last summer that, she alleged, featured adult drag performers whose conduct was "very sexualized" and in proximity to children. Land said the event was organized by Abby White of Hope Development Practice and described scenes she characterized as inappropriate for a school setting.

"This event was created by Abby White and her hope development practice," Land said. "The male drag performers were very on point for a pride event in their very sexualized caricatures, dressing, and performing in parody of women. As these suggestively dressed men danced around the playground, children were encouraged to give them money like strippers in a ***** ****."

Land told the board she had posted pictures and videos of the event and urged the board not to approve future Bridal events on school property. She said choosing not to approve such events "does not mean that the board members don't like gay people" but rather reflects concern that the particular events she described were inappropriate for children on district property. Land said the district could direct the organizer to use other public parks or venues.

District procedures for audience comment were read before Land spoke; the board did not respond during the meeting and took public comment under advisement. The record shows no district staff or event organizer response to Land's allegations during the meeting.

The board has not scheduled any formal action in response to the comment; public-comment rules limit board response and note that remarks may not be about pending personnel matters or private student information. Land said she has photographs and video she offered to distribute.