Iowa U.S Representative Ashley Hinson called for a federal investigation of Linn-Mar Community School District after their morning announcement recognized “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.”
“Exposing kids to ideology that may conflict with the family’s values or faith, or that parents are not ready to address with their children, is wholly unacceptable,” said Hinson. “It’s imperative there is accountability and transparency for Linn-Mar parents.”
Linn-Mar assured members of the school district that they will tighten communication with parents after the recent disputes.
This is not the first time Linn-Mar has become a battleground over LGBTQ+ issues.
In 2022, Linn-Mar approved a policy that allowed transgender and gender nonconforming students to create “Gender Support Plans” with school staff. The policy allowed students, particularly those in seventh grade and up, to request the use of different names and pronouns and to access restrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations corresponding to their gender identity.
The most controversial part of this policy was that staff could not inform parents about a “Gender Support Plan” without the students consent.
Within months, a parents’ rights group called Parents Defending Education sued the district. The lawsuit argued the policy violated the parents’ constitutional rights by keeping them in the dark about their children’s decisions. In March 2023, the Linn-Mar school board rescinded the policy and in Feb. 2024, a settlement was reached with the district paying $20,000 for the plaintiffs legal fees.
Teachers are often placed in the heart of this debate, expected to balance their professional responsibility to support all students with the realities of differing community expectations. For many, that means creating classrooms that are respectful and inclusive while addressing sensitive topics that may extend beyond traditional academics.
AP Language and Composition teacher Angie Staber strives to create a balance in her classroom. “I don’t avoid topics just because they are controversial; in fact, controversial topics support the development of critical thinking for the students. In AP Lang, for example, we have our bi-weekly Friday Forum discussions about current events with student-developed questions and student-led discussions,” she said. “I do not control where the discussion goes; however, I do control how we are all civil and respectful.”
For the entire week, starting on Sept. 23, the high school’s student-run television program celebrated “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week” and informed the student body with the help of Spectrum- the student-led Gay-Straight Alliance at the high school that promotes an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies.
On the first two days, the segments focused on ways allies can show empathy, build understanding and foster compassion. Spectrum encouraged allies to, “educate yourself, learn about bisexuality, its history and the unique challenges faced by the bisexual community. Listen and validate.”
Two more segments followed on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.
On Sept. 25, the announcers explained the meaning of “plus” in “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week”. They explained, “It signifies inclusivity of all non-monosexual identities. A non-monosexual identity refers to sexual orientations that are not exclusively homosexual or heterosexual. This term encompasses a range of identities including bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer and omnisexual. Non-monosexual identities emphasize that attraction can be complex and not limited to traditional binaries.”
To close the week, the students left listeners with a final lesson saying, “This week is celebrated to remind people that bisexuality is valid and recognized as a sexual orientation. And finally, we would just like to say that ‘Bisexual Plus Awareness Week’ is not just for bisexual individuals, but for everyone to learn and support. We conclude with a call to action for inclusive policies.”
Queer senior Will Emerle defends students’ right to self-expression and inclusion within schools, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and acceptance. “The United States is a country of free speech. As a result, our public schools should be places where students freely express their political beliefs,” he said. “Here after PVHS, we have a Club America chapter and an Amnesty Club chapter, both student-run organizations that have political and ‘controversial’ discussions regularly and are causing no physical harm to the student body.”
The tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ visibility in schools reflects a larger national debate over education, identity and parental involvement. Across the country, districts are grappling with how to balance inclusivity for students with respect for diverse family values, often turning classrooms and student organizations into flashpoints in cultural disputes. As conversations about gender and sexuality continue to surface in educational spaces, the broader challenge centers on creating school environments that foster empathy and understanding while navigating the deeply divided views of communities nationwide.
