Golden Days political float sparks controversy and criticism | Local News

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A presumptive school board candidate for the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District has signaled plans to run for Seat E with a Golden Days parade float on Saturday, which is seen as controversial.

Michael Humphreys floats a walrus tagged with the name Johnny won first place in the political category, out of two who were entered in the category. Humphrey told the News-Miner on Tuesday that he intended to file for the E seat this week. Outgoing school board member Tim Doran has already sought re-election.

However, the float quickly sparked concerns that it was anti-transgender linked to conservative political commentator Matt Walsh’s children’s picture book, Johnny the Walrus.

Humphrey said on Tuesday he disagrees that Johnny the Walrus has anything to do with gender theory.

Johnny the Walrus is a cute story about a child with an active imagination. No gender theory issues are mentioned at all, Humphrey said via email.

However, he noted that since the topic came up after the parade, Johnny the Walrus can be a fun, allegorical way to point out the incongruity of gender theory.

Walsh’s book centers on a boy named Johnny, a little boy with a big imagination who pretends to be a big scary dinosaur, a knight, or a mischievous pup.

According to the book’s summary, when netizens find out that Johnny likes to pretend, he’s forced to make a decision between the little boy he is and the things he pretends to be, and he’s not allowed to change his mind. notice.

In December 2021, Amazon told The Hills Changing America that it had reclassified the book as an LGBTQ+ political and social commentary to better reflect the content. Amazon’s spokesperson told The Hill that while readers may find the book objectionable, it does not violate our guidelines and remains available for sale.

Walsh had denounced the decision on Twitter, calling it an unconscionable attack on gay rights and a horrific example of homophobia and queer erasure.

The News-Miner contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska to find out how it viewed Walsh’s book, but the organization declined to comment.

The Humphreys float sparked concern from social media and Fairbanks residents that the float was seen as hateful, with some chastising the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the Golden Days parade, for allowing entry .

Blogger Kuba Grezda noted in a July 15 post on his blog Kubas Corner that while the walrus float was getting a lot of attention, he said it symbolized something pretty gross.

Grezda castigated Walsh, the book’s author, as an established con man adept at hitting and drumming up support by poking fun at often imaginary liberal and progressive people and causes.

The giant walrus in [Saturdays] parade (also named Johnny) was a dog whistle, a political message coded to gain the support of a particular group without provoking broad opposition, Grezda wrote.

The Humphreys float also garnered support from Alaskan conservatives and Walsh himself, who posted his support for the Humphreys float on Facebook while criticizing the judges for accidentally liking Johnny the walrus, then realizing afterwards. Suddenly the float was based on my children’s book, which caused massive meltdowns.

Since Saturday, Walsh has repeatedly criticized parade float judges for their reaction to the meaning of the floats, which in turn has led to harassment of the perpetrators on social media. Walsh also lent his support to Humphrey in his run for the school board.

The chamber’s board of directors released a statement on Tuesday saying the Golden Days parade brings together people from all walks of life, including individuals and groups with conflicting views.

All entries for the Golden Days 2023 parade complied with our parade rules, and we encourage anyone offended by an entry to engage with the hosts of that entry, the Chamber’s Board of Directors said.

The Chamber’s board said parade participants are encouraged to incorporate the annual theme into their float.

A complete list of parade rules is posted on the parade webpage. As an inclusive organization, the Chamber does not censor floats as long as there is no nudity or foul language, the council said. The Chamber is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse political candidates.

Humphrey said four of his six children are enrolled in a public charter school and my highest priority is to protect them in the best way possible.

For parents reading the book, it lets them know that I want to care for their kids the same way they do,” Humphrey said. For parents who were unfamiliar with the book, it’s a great way to create an introduction to this important subject, as a single search can familiarize them almost immediately.

The Humphreys campaign website states that it champions the protection of children by stopping the spread of radical gender ideology. Goals also include creating opportunities for greater parental involvement in the school and targeted budget control with the aim of reducing class sizes and teacher salaries that follow the cost of living.

Humphrey told the News-Miner on Tuesday that his three-pronged motto is defined simply by safety, discipline and excellence.

He added that he believes children have the right to be safe in their bathrooms, private spaces, sports and the values ​​their parents pass on to them without facing the new values ​​of positions of authority at school.

For his part, Humphrey said he had largely positive reactions to the floater.

The story of Johnny the Walrus resonates with parents, Humphrey said. If there is controversy, its existence highlights the fact that gender theory is divisive and has no place in the classroom.

The school board should exercise discipline when it comes to the budget, Humphrey told the News-Miner. Achieving the goal of hitting spending targets while reducing class sizes and allowing teachers to be highly competitive requires hundreds of tough choices.

Humphrey added that schools should be disciplined when it comes to teaching core subjects and that efficient use of class time and a rigorous focus on academics will give our students an edge.

Humphrey, in a post on the conservative Must Read Alaska blog, went into more detail about some of his campaign goals and what he would bring to the school board. He noted that the main areas of concern include targeted budgetary control and that nothing is ruled out and that there were no key elements to reduce with regard to reducing expenditure and balancing budgets. He also called the radical theory of gender entering the classroom a core issue for his campaign.

Gender-Affirming Healthcare

The American Medical Association has published, cited, and referenced several studies conducted over many years that support gender-affirming health care for youth and adults.

The Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ advocacy group committed to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also noted that LGBTQ+ youth who lived in an accepting community, had access to LGBTQ+ affirming schools, and/or felt supported. high social from family and friends. significantly lower rates of suicide attempts in the past year.

The Trevor Project also noted that 58% of LGBTQ youth, including 71% of transgender and non-binary youth, feel angry at new policies that prohibit teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ topics in the classroom.

For any LGBTQ+, transgender, and non-binary youth in mental health crisis, visit www.thetrevorproject.org, or contact the Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis counselor by calling: 1-866-488-7386 or texting : 678-678.

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