Linn-Mar to tighten protocols after LGBTQ+ student broadcast; advocates call Hinson’s probe request ‘bullying’

Linn-Mar Community School District says it will tighten communication with parents after student-produced morning announcements at Linn-Mar High School recognized “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week,” prompting a request by Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson for a federal investigation.

In a letter addressed to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon last week, Hinson said she was “appalled” her 14-year-old son and other Linn-Mar students were exposed to content she described as “indoctrination” without parental consent.

Hinson, a Marion Republican who represents Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, told reporters Monday “families — not school administrators — should be deciding how and when to address these issues.”

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“Exposing kids to ideology that may conflict with the family's values or faith, or that parents are not ready to address with their children, is wholly unacceptable,” she said. “It's imperative there is accountability and transparency for Linn-Mar parents.”

She asked the Education Department to “launch a full investigation” into the district’s conduct and ensure accountability.

Download: Letter to Dept. of Ed re Linn-Mar High School.pdf

In a statement Monday, the district acknowledged concerns and pledged to “tighten internal protocols to ensure parents are appropriately informed in advance” about potentially sensitive topics.

“As we looked more closely into concerns about this content we noted the absence of communication to parents alerting them that this content would be shared with our high school students, which had been part of our previous practice,” the district said. “Moving forward, we will tighten our internal protocols to ensure parents are appropriately informed in advance about potentially sensitive topics including those featured in our student-created communication to our high school students so parents can decide if their students engage with the content.”

The district added that the changes aim to support “a respectful dialogue with our parents and in our community, and also supports students and staff in a safe and inclusive environment in a manner that aligns with district guidelines and policies.”

A spokesperson for Hinson said the district’s steps don’t go far enough and reflect a broader pattern of sidelining parents.

This is not the first time Linn-Mar has been at the center of political battles over LGBTQ issues. In 2022, the district adopted a policy allowing transgender and nonbinary students to request accommodations — such as alternative names and pronouns. The policy, which left it up to the students whether to notify parents, drew sharp criticism from Hinson and other Iowa Republicans, who said it undermined parental rights.

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“Linn-Mar has a pattern of deliberately boxing parents out — whether it’s allowing kids to change their gender identity at school or broadcasting about sexuality on the morning announcements,” the spokesperson said. “As parents continue conveying their strong concerns to Rep. Hinson, she will continue working to ensure accountability. This is not a sufficient response.”

What did the student announcements say?

On Sept. 23, the high school’s student-run television program referenced “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week” and encouraged students, on behalf of Spectrum — the student-led Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at the high school that promotes student awareness of the LGBT community and acceptance of all students — to "use terms like bisexual plus to be inclusive of all non-monosexual identities."

The brief segment also encouraged students to wear bisexual pride pins to show allyship, learn about bisexuality and its history, and to validate the feelings of bisexual individuals.

Here’s what was said during the segment:

“As our Linn-Mar High School community continues to celebrate ‘Bisexual Plus Awareness Week,’ Spectrum would like to share 10 ways that allies can help demonstrate awareness, show understanding, and spread compassion. This information is for students and staff as we all can be an ally. Educate yourself. Learn about bisexuality, its history, and the unique challenges faced by the bisexual community. Listen and validate.

“Be open to listening to the experiences of bisexual individuals without judgment,” the segment stated. “Validate their feelings and struggles. Challenge biphobia. Speak out against biphobia and stereotypes, whether in conversations or on social media. Use inclusive language. Be mindful of your language. Avoid assuming someone's sexuality and use terms like bisexual plus to be inclusive of all non-monosexual identities. Support events. participate in or promote events during Bisexual Plus Awareness Week and other LGBTQ plus events to show your support.

“By taking these steps, allies can create a more supportive and understanding environment for bisexual individuals. Tune in tomorrow for five additional ways to be a supportive ally for individuals that are bisexual plus. Back to you.”

The next day, LMTV aired another brief segment with “five more ways that you can be an ally during ‘Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.’”

Two more segments followed on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26.

Here’s what was said Sept. 25:

“Spectrum is close to wrapping up our celebration of ‘Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.’ Do you know what the plus stands for? It signifies inclusivity of all non-monosexual identities. What does that mean, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. A non-monosexual identity refers to sexual orientations that are not exclusively homosexual or heterosexual. This term encompasses a range of identities including bisexual, pansexual, fluid, queer, and omnisexual. Non-monosexual identities emphasize that attraction can be complex and not limited to traditional binaries. Tune back tomorrow for our last couple facts as we wind up ‘Bisexual Awareness Plus Week.’ Back to you.“

Here’s a transcript from Sept. 26.:

“Spectrum has one final announcement for this week. McKenzie is here with the report. Spectrum would like to thank all of you that have took the time to listen to the information we have shared about bisexual plus individuals. We would like to conclude with just a few more facts and information about why this week is so important. Creating awareness helps to serve as a platform to address issues such as biphobia and discrimination. We hope this week has encouraged discussion, either in class or amongst friends, on how to be supportive.

“We hope that bringing awareness we have provided pride in bisexual identities as well as fostering community and solidarity,” the students said. “This week is celebrated to remind people that bisexuality is valid and recognized as a sexual orientation. And finally, we would just like to say that ‘Bisexual Plus Awareness Week’ is not just for bisexual individuals, but for everyone to learn and support. We conclude with a call to action for inclusive policies.“

Advocacy groups defend student free speech

LGBTQ advocacy groups blasted Hinson’s call for a federal probe, framing the announcements as protected student expression under both state and federal law.

Keenan Crow, policy and advocacy director for One Iowa, called Hinson’s letter to the Education Department “as hyperbolic as it is ignorant.”

“Iowa’s legal protections for student journalism … are exceptional. Students are only prohibited from publishing things that are obscene, unlawful, or objectively disruptive,” Crow said. “None of the content in the student news piece meets this criterion.”

Crow added the broadcast was limited to definitions of terms and suggestions for inclusivity.

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“There was nothing explicit or illegal about these segments,” they said. “We would encourage Rep Hinson to familiarize herself with the First Amendment and Iowa laws regarding student journalism, and to stop taking offense to the mere suggestion that those in her son’s school be included and accepted regardless of their sexual orientations.”

Zach Rus, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools, said the announcement was “student-led expression of free speech: not school curriculum, not ‘indoctrination.’”

“It’s alarming to see a member of Congress dismiss student free speech so quickly. When leaders target LGBTQ students, the harm is real,” Rus said, citing survey data showing LGBTQ youth in Iowa and nationally report feeling less safe and more anxious as political rhetoric escalates.

The mission of Iowa Safe Schools is to provide safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ youth and their friends and allies.

“Our organization applauds these students for uplifting LGBTQ visibility during a time when such courage matters deeply,” Rus added. “Research consistently shows that positive representation helps LGBTQ youth feel safer, belong in their schools, and experience better mental health outcomes.”

Rus called on Hinson to stand by her previous commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community — pointing to an excerpt from an interview Hinson did with GoGuide Magazine, an Eastern Iowa magazine geared toward LGBTQ readers, published in October 2020 — “and to stop this bullying behavior."

Comments: (319) 398-8499; tom.barton@thegazette.com