Danvers PR
Overview
Danvers, MA sent a letter to all elementary school parents that the school intends to read two books a year about gender identity in grades PreK-5. The email included a reading list. Parents were told verbally that this is a state requirement. Subsequently, a video surfaced claiming that this list was sent to parents in other Massachusetts school districts as well.
Video reading all the books on the list
The public records request revealed that several organizations have sent LGBT themed reading lists to the school. In addition, staff at the school solicited books on gender identity.
Response
Emails to/from Danvers about LGBT books.
Request
Original 4/7/2022 Danvers Public Schools PR Request:
Hi,
I am curious about the origin of the transgender booklist and the letter sent home to parents. This is a public records request:
1. All emails sent from external addresses to Danvers school containing an attachment or text that is substantially similar to the one sent to families. (Eg similar book list or sample letter to send to families about LGBT books ).
2. All emails from either DESE or the Attorney General’s office on the subject of reading transgender and or LGBT themed books in any grades below 3.
Timeframe: Sept 1, 2021 to Feb 28, 2022
Notable documents
We found that Danvers was subscribed to multiple mailing lists that promoted LGBT and CRT books and events.
Welcoming Schools at Human Rights Campaign