A Portland, Oregon, mother has filed a lawsuit against Portland Public Schools and her children's elementary school after being barred from school events, including her child's graduation, in what she describes as retaliation for opposing the district's gender identity curriculum and flag changes.
Lawsuit filed following alleged retaliation
Allison Roberts, a parent at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, filed the lawsuit on Wednesday through the Liberty Justice Center. The legal action comes after Roberts claims she faced restrictions for publicly opposing the school's gender identity curriculum and its decision to replace a traditional rainbow pride flag with an "Intersex-Inclusive Progress" variant.
Roberts alleges that the school district retaliated against her after she raised concerns about the curriculum and the flag change. She was issued a one-year trespass order in May, which barred her from attending school events, including her child's graduation ceremony. The school district cited her behavior as "harassment, intimidation, and threatening behavior" targeting vulnerable members of the community.
Curriculum and flag changes spark controversy
Roberts first expressed concerns in 2023 about the school's decision to repaint the traditional rainbow pride flag to include intersex and transgender symbols. She stated that while she supported being part of Portland's gay community, she believed the new flag was "an overtly political symbol that promotes values contradictory to her Christian faith."
Roberts also discovered an "identity flower" assignment given to her 11-year-old child, which asked students to identify and discuss their gender identity with classmates and teachers. She alleges she received no prior notice of the assignment before learning about it from her child. After requesting a meeting with the school's principal, Roberts said she received an unsatisfactory response and subsequently wrote an open letter to the community criticizing the school's policies.
School district responds to allegations
The school district has not publicly detailed its rationale for the trespass order or the restrictions on Roberts' access to school events. When Roberts sought clarification, she was told the restrictions were due to her alleged pattern of "animus and harassment."
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and requests that the restrictions on Roberts' access to school events be lifted. The Liberty Justice Center, representing Roberts, argues that the school district violated her First Amendment rights by retaliating against her for expressing her religious and personal beliefs.
Background on the school's policies
Meriwether Lewis Elementary School is part of Portland Public Schools, which has implemented various policies aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ students and promoting inclusivity. The flag change and the "identity flower" assignment are part of broader efforts to create a more inclusive environment for students of all gender identities. The district has not publicly addressed the specifics of the lawsuit or the allegations made by Roberts.
The case raises questions about the balance between inclusive education policies and parental rights, as well as the limits of free speech in public school settings.