The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) is facing national attention after releasing its Equity & Belonging resources, which critics say introduce political and gender ideology to young students.
The materials, aimed at elementary and middle school students, include lessons on multiple genders and dozens of sexual orientations, sparking concern among parental rights groups and conservative commentators.
The controversy coincides with the Trump administration’s continued efforts to restrict federal support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in K‑12 education.
Parental rights organization Defending Education has called the SDUSD hub an “engine for ideology rather than education,” claiming it promotes a “far-left political agenda.”
According to the group, the program introduces nine genders and 28 “youth sexual orientations” and includes lessons designed for students as young as third grade on topics ranging from “trans” issues to social justice concepts, The Washington Times reports.
The district, however, defends its initiative.
The Equity & Belonging site states that SDUSD is “committed to creating equitable and inclusive schools that ensure students have what they need to succeed in school and life.”
The district emphasizes that the lessons are meant to counter misinformation and discriminatory behavior, with early instruction designed to foster understanding and inclusion of LGBT individuals.
Erika Sanzi, senior director of communications for Defending Education, said that the materials are inappropriate for children and could erode trust between families and educators.
“Introducing multiple genders and sexual orientations to young students goes beyond education and ventures into ideological advocacy,” she said.
The initiative is led by Executive Director Ebonee Weathers and involves the Ethnic Studies Department and the Department of Restorative Justice Practices.
It incorporates materials from external organizations including the Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.
Among the lessons is “It’s Lit Jr.,” which covers topics like “Transgender Children in the Boy Scouts,” Latinx history and profiles of young female leaders such as former First Lady Michelle Obama.
The district argues that early exposure to these topics helps prevent anti-LGBT behavior.
The release of these materials comes amid federal actions targeting DEI and gender ideology in schools.
In January, President Trump signed an executive order, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K‑12 Schooling,” directing federal agencies to cut funding for programs that promote “gender ideology” or discriminatory equity practices, while emphasizing parental oversight in education.
The order also reinstated the 1776 Commission to expand patriotic civics instruction nationwide.
The Department of Education has further taken steps to remove DEI references from public communications, archive related guidance and place staff overseeing such initiatives on administrative leave, signaling a broad federal push against the programs.
Critics warn that SDUSD’s materials may be at odds with these federal directives and could invite scrutiny or intervention. Supporters of the federal policy argue that limiting DEI allows schools to focus on academics while respecting parental rights.
Serving approximately 121,000 students from preschool through 12th grade, SDUSD is California’s second-largest school district, making its curriculum a high-profile example in the ongoing national debate over DEI, gender ideology and parental influence in education.
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