( Post Millennial )
Following a Project Veritas video released on Wednesday revealing the dean of students at an elite Chicago private school bragging about how the school brought in LGBTQ activists to teach about "queer sex," the school has responded, supporting the dean’s statements.
In a letter to the Francis W. Parker School community, Principal Dan Frank stood by the comments made by Dean of Students Joseph Bruno.
"At Parker, we care deeply about the health, well-being and development of our students," the letter began. "Our programs are designed to help cultivate not only physical and emotional well-being, but also a strong sense of belonging. This is central to our mission."
"That’s why we are heartbroken to learn that one of our colleague’s words have been severely misrepresented for a malicious purpose."
Frank described Project Veritas as a "far-right activist group that produces deceptively edited videos of secret recordings in an effort to discredit mainstream media organizations, progressive groups and educational institutions."
Frank continued on to say that Bruno was approached at the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference last week, and was "misled" into believing he was having a conversation with another event attendee.
"He was filmed without his knowledge or permission while describing one example of our inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and comprehensive approach to sex education," Frank wrote.
"This group has now edited this video with malicious intent and launched it publicly tonight. Please know this video contains descriptive language. If you choose to view it, we ask you not share it, because it will add to its viral power."
Frank continued on to say that Project Veritas had "attempted to ambush our employee at the school" earlier this week, and that their journalists were "escorted off campus without incident by our security."
"While we have no reason to believe there is a threat to the physical safety of the community, we have worked with the alderman’s office and police and have implemented higher security measures. You may already have noticed increased police presence outside the school," he wrote.
"Parker administrators and Parker’s Board of Trustees support Parker’s programming, the strength and inclusivity of our curriculum, and the dedicated and talented faculty and staff that teach it."
Frank said that the school is "sickened" by Project Veritas’ "deceptive tactics, their invasion during a People of Color conference, and their attack on the LGBTQ+ community. We will be meeting with Middle and Upper School students tomorrow to offer support and guidance."
During the video, Bruno was seen saying that "During Pride—we do a Pride Week every year— I had our LGBTQ+ Health Center come in [to the classroom]. They were passing around butt-plugs and dildos to my students—talking about queer sex, using lube versus using spit." These students were between the ages of 14 and 18.
Bruno added that the students were "passing around dildos and butt-plugs. The kids are just playing with ‘em, looking at ‘em…They're like, ‘How does this butt plug work? How do we do – like, how does this work?’"
"That's a really cool part of my job," he said. The items were brought in by an LGBTQ group, and the lessons were held in a classroom.
The school costs $40,000 per year to attend.