In a recent event that has sparked controversy, Karl Frisch, a Democratic member of the Fairfax County School Board, was inaugurated for his second term using a stack of banned LGBTQ children's books rather than the traditional Bible.
This unconventional decision has drawn criticism from those who view it as an attempt to normalize behavior deemed unacceptable, suggesting a decline in moral standards.
Frisch, who is set to become the Chair of the Board and currently serves as its Vice Chair, holds the distinction of being the first LGBTQ+ individual elected to a local office in Fairfax County, Virginia's most populous county. He is also one of the few openly LGBTQ+ school board members throughout the Commonwealth, as reported by Blue Virginia.
Frisch's re-election victory was decisive, winning by over 30 points and securing a larger percentage of the vote (67%) than in his 2019 campaign. "Fairfax County residents want safe and inclusive schools with exceptional, well-compensated educators and equitable access to the rigorous academic and enrichment opportunities every student needs to succeed," Frisch stated. He added, "I am grateful for the trust Providence District families have placed in me, and with tonights Oath, I commit to standing strong for these values and advancing these priorities with my new and returning colleagues."
However, Frisch's recent actions during his swearing-in ceremony have raised concerns about shifting societal norms. His choice to use banned LGBTQ books, some of which contain explicit content, instead of a Bible, is seen by critics as undermining the sanctity traditionally associated with the oath-taking process and as a challenge to historical values.
The books Frisch selected for his swearing-in ceremony include titles such as "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," "Lawn Boy," "All Boys Arent Blue," "Gender Queer," and "Flamer." These books have been banned in various districts and were specifically chosen by Frisch for the ceremony.
According to Blue Virginia, Fairfax County School Board members were allowed to choose any book for their swearing-in, with no explicit instruction to bring a religious text. The news outlet reported, "Im told that Fairfax County School Board members brought whatever books they wanted to their swearing-in, were NOT told specifically to bring a religious book and were NOT provided one. Apparently, only one or two members were sworn in on a Bible, while some werent sworn in on any book at all."
Frisch was not alone in his unconventional swearing-in approach. Karen Smith, the newly appointed Central Bucks school board president in Pennsylvania, also took her oath of office on a stack of banned children's books instead of the customary Bible, further fueling the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of such actions.
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