Missouri AG issues another letter to CPS over drag performance at diversity event
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A drag queen performance last week at a diversity breakfast where Columbia students were present continued on Wednesday to draw the ire of Missouri Republican officials.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sent a second letter to Columbia Public Schools, demanding that school officials who were aware of the performance should resign or be fired. The letter was dated Tuesday and was posted to social media on Wednesday. Bailey also listed Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe in the letter.
In an effort to protect children, my office fired off another letter to Columbia Public Schools' Superintendent Yearwood, clarifying why CPS’ role in the adult themed drag show for middle schoolers was so egregious. (1/9) pic.twitter.com/p7nAbp2uat
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) January 25, 2023
“The adult themed drag show endangered children, represented an indoctrination program that runs counter to the educational mission of our schools, and deprived parents of an ability to knowingly consent to their children’s attendance at this event,” Bailey wrote. “CPS attempts to mitigate their culpability by positing that they did not have full knowledge of or control over the performances at the event. To the extent this assertion is truthful, CPS had an affirmative obligation to know what they were exposing these students to.”
ABC 17 reached out to CPS for comment.
Bailey initially sent a letter to the school last week detailing the same points. CPS Superintendent Brian Yearwood sent a letter over the weekend in response to Bailey’s first note.
Yearwood wrote that the school district's participation in the event is limited to the writing portion honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Yearwood said it is a misconception that the performance was grooming the students in attendance.
"Although CPS was unaware what the performance by NClusion+ would entail, their program was not an 'adult' performance," Yearwood wrote. "This type of misrepresentation is harmful to our students, our staff, and our community."
Nclusion Plus – the group who performed during the breakfast – said the performance was family friendly.
"We provide a safe experience of self-expression and creative performance that infringed upon no less moral grounds than a theater department in a school would do," the group said in a statement on social media. "While families are welcome to manage their personal conversations and expectations of expression related to their children, we see that as more of a direct conversation to be had between parents, their children and the school system."
We’ve been asked to give public comment. Here it is! We are thankful to have been highlighted as a part of the diverse community programming brought together for the Columbia Values Diversity Celebration in honor of the 30th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/f3NgN650Y8
— Nclusion Plus (@NclusionPlus) January 21, 2023
ABC 17 News reached out to Buffaloe.
"I have not received the letter yet and do not intend to respond at this time," she said.
Bailey this week also announced his intention to run in 2024 for a full term as the attorney general. He was sworn in earlier this month to the position and was appointed in November.
