Support and outrage over Louisiana teacher who identifies as nonbinary: What we know
In a regular scheduled Caddo Parish School Board meeting, parents met in opposition and support of a University Elementary School teacher, who identifies as nonbinary.
Blaine Banghart is a music teacher at University Elementary School in Shreveport who uses the term MX, as opposed to Mr. or Ms.
Action regarding Blaine Banghart was not on the agenda and was not addressed by the board.
Nevertheless, the public comment period devolved into arguments and yelling over the dress code and this educator.
It started over a TikTok video
On Jan. 13, Banghart posted a video on TikTok discussing how they are not allowed to be out as trans nonbinary at work.
"Do not come up in my comments saying I am because I'm not. I live in Louisiana and it sucks here," they said.
They continue on to explain that their response to this is be "as obnoxiously queer as possible"
The video, which sits at over 74 thousand views, garnered the attention of conservative pundit Ben Shapiro.
Brandy Pou with UnMask our Kids Louisiana took to Facebook on Monday asking all parents to come out in opposition of Banghart at the Tuesday evening meeting.
In her Facebook Live video, which lasted nearly seven minutes, Pou said "If you thinks this is the only teacher that thinks this way, you are sorely mistaken."
She claimed to have been given "a lot of information" that Banghart was not the only LGBTQ+ teacher in the district.
"That's the awareness we all need to bring," Pou said.
What happened at the meeting?
Before opening the floor to public comments, board President Tony Nations warned the audience that "derogatory statements" made toward board members or employees would not be tolerated.
The dress code seemed to be the main point of contention.
Jane Taffy, who spoke during public comments, brought up dress code regulations that are found in the student handbook. She was one of several who mentioned the document.
Pou said, "Employees should be professional. We have never asked (for) Banghart to be fired."
Keith Hanson, Chief Technology Officer for Shreveport spoke in support of Banghart. "I have never spoken here as a citizen or parent of a student, but I am here today because this is important to me, my family and, most importantly, to her," he said. "Let everyone see on public record that there are good people here ready to defend other good people from vile, bigoted hate."
By the middle of the public comment period, the room was full, and people from both sides were speaking out of turn while those at the podium addressed the board.
What action was taken?
Ultimately, no action was taken on the issue. It was not on the agenda.
Banghart declined to comment.
When directly asked, Pou declined to comment as well.
Misty Castile is the editor of the Shreveport Times. You can reach her at mcastile@gannett.com or on Twitter at @castilemisty.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Teacher Blaine Banghart identifies as nonbinary drawing support & outrage
