A group of about 60 people were protesting a advertised queer Halloween party for youth and families on Tuesday night that was posted on the Encinitas Unified School District’s digital community page.
Boo Bash, billed as the “weirdest free Halloween party for young people and families”, has made its way onto the district’s digital hub called PeachJar.
To the dismay of many parents, community activists and school board candidates were shocked by the event and expressed their frustration outside district headquarters on Tuesday night.
“The agenda is very clear, this is not a family event and the district is lying to our kids and they are our kids,” said homeschool parent Joleene Burts.
The director of TransFamily Support Services, which organizes the event, told NBC 7 that the advertisement would not have appeared on the PeachJar platform without the district’s permission. The district, however, released a statement on Tuesday indicating that it was in fact removed from PeachJar three weeks ago because it did not meet the criteria for approval. The prefecture gave no further explanation.
According to the flyer, Boo Bash is an afternoon event with a costume contest, tricks or treats, games, and a family drag show.
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On the TransFamily Support Services website, the event is further described as a “block-style spooky party” with food trucks, cheat-or-treat businesses on University Avenue, and a Disney villain drag show. .
The webpage also lists its sponsors as Fabulous Hillcrest, Rich’s, SD Loyals, North County LGBTQ Center, and San Diego Pride.
“These drag queens are going to put on a Disney villain show and they’ll be dressed appropriately in Disney villain themes, just like you’d see any other performer who does entertainment for young children,” Kathie said. Moehlig, director of Transfamily Support Services.
Not everyone is convinced. Encinitas Parent Nick Satriano and his son and daughter were among the protesters.
“Let the parents teach the children what to do until the children are old enough to think for themselves,” Satriano said.
While the flyer was removed from the Encinitas District website, Moehlig said it appeared on at least four other PeachJar school sites.
Tuesday’s protest will not mean the end of Boo Bash, Moehlig said.
The party is scheduled for October 29 under the Pride Flag in Hillcrest.
As Tuesday’s protest unfolded in Encinitas, organizers said the event was open to all area LGBTQ families and allies.
