SCOOP: Missouri middle schools took students to drag show without parental consent

Every year since 2014, the City of Columbia, MO, hosts their Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast. At this year’s annual celebration, they topped off the celebration with a drag performance from Nclusion+, all with children in the audience.

According to the city’s website, the event “typically features a breakfast, award presentation, artistic celebrations, and keynote addresses. The Celebration is coordinated by the City’s Office of Cultural Affairs and enjoys the support of many community volunteers and sponsors.”

However, the City of Columbia had middle school students, from at least three schools, in attendance and allegedly never informed parents about the drag queen portion of the program.

A permission slip sent to Smithton Middle School parents failed to make any mention a drag performance or Nclusion+.

Smithton Middle School Permission Slip to attend the Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast posted by a parent on Facebook.

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Outraged parents contacted Libs of TikTok after Columbia Public Schools Board President, David Seamon, dismissed their concerns.  The email stated, “other than the keynote speaker most of the program is unknown to the public.”  

Email response from Columbia Public Schools Board response to a parent email regarding the drag performance.

Libs of TikTok reached out to the school district and we received a similar response.

The school’s response to Libs of TikTok’s request for comment.

There is one giant problem with that explanation: The city’s own website notes that Nclusion+ would be performing.

“The 2023 Columbia Values Diversity Celebration will take place on Jan. 19, 2023, from 7 – 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Expo Center, featuring keynote speaker Renee Montgomery and entertainment by Nclusion+.”

City of Columbia's website event announcement

Take a look at the Nclusion+ website. They are an organization that specializes in drag performances. 

Nclusion+ homepage

Do you mean to tell me that Columbia Public School Board wasn’t aware of the performance which was stated on the City of Columbia’s website? Worse yet, the City of Columbia has been hosting the event for years and routinely invites students and thought it was appropriate to book a drag show.

One parent who spoke with Libs of TikTok said, “I am appalled with Columbia Public Schools thinking it's appropriate for children to attend a drag show. I am even more disturbed that our Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary, school administrators and school board members were present and let it happen. Especially when, parents were not told their kids were going to a drag show.”

Circled: Colombia Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood at the event.

Several school officials were allegedly in attendance and did nothing to stop the show while knowing there were children present. These are the people who you entrust with your children in your absence.

The school administrators and city officials who sign off on these drag shows know full well that drag is inappropriate and that parents will rightfully object. That is why they feel the need to hide it. Yet they keep doing it anyway while assuming no responsibility.