At Least 3 Arrested Outside Glendale School Board Meeting As Pro- And Anti-LGBTQ+ Protesters Clash

Glendale police arrested at least three people Tuesday night outside a Glendale Unified School District board meeting after clashes between pro- and anti-LGBTQ+ protesters.

The fights broke out as the school board was set to vote on a resolution recognizing June as Pride Month and committing to what the board calls a "safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment" for all students. That resolution ultimately passed.

Outside the meeting, Glendale police say that while most protesters were peaceful, a small group was not. They ordered the crowds to disperse at 6 p.m.

On social media, several accounts posted videos of confrontations between pro- and anti-LGBTQ demonstrators.

This marks the second clash in a week over how local schools are handling LGBTQ plus issues. Last week, LAPD officers stepped in at Saticoy Elementary in North Hollywood — no arrests were made during those protests.

The backstory

The district has recognized Pride Month for four years, said district spokesperson Kristine Nam.

“In general, our board of education, our superintendent, and right down into every classroom has a commitment to foster an inclusive environment that is safe and secure, and that celebrates every student and family in our district,” Nam said. “We have a very diverse district, and we're committed to making sure everyone feels welcome and included on our campuses.”

On June 1, the Glendale Unified School District acknowledged the start of Pride Month in a Facebook post that said:

Ahead of the protest at the board meeting, Glendale Unified officials released an FAQ, saying: "intentional and harmful disinformation has been circulating about what is being taught in our district and the ways we serve our students. This includes disinformation about LGBTQIA+ curriculum, sex education, and supporting transgender and gender non-conforming youth."

State law and a framework from the California Board of Education shape what students learn in the classroom.

For example, the 2011 FAIR Act requires history and social studies to include the contributions of various populations, including the LGBTQ+ community. Lessons also align to the state’s History Social Science Framework.

At the scene Tuesday

L.A. Times photographer Al Schaben tweeted several videos of the protesters.

Reaction

After the arrests Tuesday, Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat who represents the area in Congress, condemned anti-LGBTQ violence.

"These continued acts of violence and hate towards our LGBTQ community — especially towards students, parents, and teachers — are horrific," Schiff said in a tweet. "All of our children deserve to both feel safe and be safe regardless of who they love or how they identify. We will not go back. We will not apologize for celebrating the strength and the diversity of our LGBTQ community."

Assemblymember Laura Friedman, a Democrat who represents Glendale in Sacramento, said the meeting had been disrupted by "hateful bigots who have been inciting fear & violence for months.

In a statement on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement supporting the Glendale USD board's resolution and condemning "a wave of division and demonization":

What's happening in other local schools

Part of the LGBTQ+ supporters as the LAPD stand in between both groups.

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Caitlin Hernandez

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LAist

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The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education this week unanimously approved a resolution that encourages all district schools to incorporate lessons into their curriculum about the LGBTQ+ community.

Board members say it's to ensure that students are educated about the world around them. A number of people spoke in favor of the resolution at Tuesday's meeting — no reports of opposition. The board's move comes days after a crowd of parents and protesters gathered outside of Saticoy Elementary in North Hollywood ahead of a planned Pride month student assembly on campus.