Opposing views on gender identity — and whether the concept should be taught in secondary schools — dominated a Nampa School Board meeting Monday night. At issue was an introduction to psychology class that covers information about gender identity, as part of high school curricula established by the American Psychological Association. The contention started when a Nampa High School parent raised concerns with a psychology quiz — particularly, with some questions related to gender and sexuality those questions are reprinted below.
News about the quiz and class spread via social media, spurring more than 50 people, some with signs, to fill the Skyview High auditorium Monday night. Nearly additional viewers streamed the meeting online. Instead, they listened as nearly 40 patrons came to the podium. Speakers included current and retired teachers, parents, a student, community members, and some out-of-towners; most opposed the gender identity curriculum. A few, like Gary Nelson, were California transplants who came to Idaho at least partly to find refuge in a more conservative state.
They said they were alarmed to hear about gender identity being discussed in Nampa. Cassie Hugo, a Nampa High student, said she was in the psychology class in question and felt it was one-sided, covered overly controversial content, and downplayed the importance of family values. Distrust of local schools seemed to be a common thread among opponents of the gender identity curriculum. But other patrons supported classroom discussions of gender identity.
Withholding specific information from students with the purpose of isolating them from different ideas is the very definition of indoctrination. Kara Hudson has a student at Nampa High who took the psychology course in question in Hudson also has an adult son who is transgender.
Hudson grew up as a conservative Christian and never had exposure to gender identity concepts, which she said was a detriment. The quiz in question contained a handful of questions pertaining to gender and sexuality. The quiz can be read in full here , but the questions that seemed to generate the most concern are below:. Parents against the gender identity curriculum took umbrage with some of the correct answers.
