Over the last several weeks, 1819 News has investigated the Magic City Acceptance Academy, the LGBTQ+ affirming Charter School in Homewood. 1819 News' findings have led House and Senate lawmakers to question the school's legality, funding, and the environment they have created for its students.
If you're unfamiliar with the school, here are 5 Things You Should Know about the charter school and how they got their charter.
Throughout the process of getting their charter, supporters of the school were quick to play the victim. Later, when it became public knowledge, the school hosted a "Drag Show" on campus; again, if you objected, it was because you were a bully.
Rather than administrators taking responsibility for breaking the law repeatedly and openly, they are trying to erase the evidence of what is happening behind closed doors, scrubbing their social rewriting copy on their website.
Now, as the legislature is poised to take action, the school's supporters are returning to their familiar rallying cry and the same myths about opposition to the program using vulnerable students as human shields for the decisions of adults pushing an agenda.
As the fight continues, prepare to hear these five myths as lawmakers take up the challenge of what to do about the school.
1. You hate the students/teachers.
Quite the contrary. No one opposing this school hates anyone involved. Efforts to bring the school into compliance with existing state and federal laws and guidance are meant to provide the most successful learning experience possible to ready the students for the workforce and the real world.
2. You want these students to be bullied and miserable in schools!
Alabama has anti-bullying laws on the books. If schools aren’t enforcing them, we must hold those administrators accountable. Imagine if any one other group of students were to find themselves being bullied for their race or religion and it was suggested that they need to be moved to a segregated school. The world would rightfully be outraged. All schools need to be safe for all students. The bully's not the victms should be removed.
Enforcing same sex spaces or dress codes that prevent distractions – be they prohibiting hair colors that are not naturally occurring, animal ears or tails from being worn, or protecting the religious and First Amendment rights of others by not compelling them to use incorrect pronouns – is not bullying.
3. You want these kids to die or be “erased.”
This line is frequently used along with the threat, “If the school closes, kids will kill themselves.” This is also the argument for “affirming” care – and it’s not based on research, multiple studies and data reviews have debunked this including the Cass Review.
What is true is that if suicidal ideation is the first thing that happens when hardships occur, there is an immediate need for interventions, not the politicalization of that kid’s health.
Also, this is a school, not an inpatient medical facility. Life is precious, but repeating the suicide lie reinforces the idea to the most vulnerable that suicide is what is expected of them. Rather than perpetuating the myth that the world is against the students/staff, supporters should be honest.
4. You want the kids to have nowhere to go?
Absolutely not! There are at a minimum three alternatives: 1) the school is privately funded and runs however the leadership wishes within the parameters of law; 2) the school comes into compliance with current Alabama laws. 3) the students return to traditional public schools or other charter schools or take advantage of Alabama's new school choice legislation.
5. Using the phrase LGBTQ+ Charter shows bigotry.
It is not. The school has constantly and consistently self identified as an LGBTQ+ and affirming school. Identifying it as such has taken place in articles across the nation. Why is it fine when The New York Times or AL.com identifies it as such, but not when others do?
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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