Chris Stetson is running for Yarmouth School Committee with signs stating “Education Focus.” What the signs don’t say is that he is part of a group whose rhetoric and aims align with the far-right movement to limit acceptance of LGBTQ+ diversity in schools. According to their flyer, Yarmouth Education Advocates aims to “uphold parental rights within our schools” and “put an end to the sexualization of our children.” YEA meeting topics have included limiting students’ access to books with LGBTQ+ themes, removing teachers’ signs and flags indicating support for LGBTQ+ diversity in their classrooms, and running YEA candidates for School Committee. As someone who recognizes the importance of acceptance for gay and trans youth, I find YEA’s actions, and Chris Stetson’s involvement with it, troubling. His focus on education may not align with the welcoming, healthy and well-rounded school environment most people in Yarmouth want for their kids.
April Humphrey
Yarmouth
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