School district cancels lesson on pronouns after staff receives threats [Video]

CLINTON COUNTY, Mich. (WILX/Gray News) – A Michigan school district has canceled a voluntary lesson exploring gender identity and pronoun use through discussion and literature after several school staff members received threats.

DeWitt Public Schools posted the announcement canceling the lesson Friday on Facebook. The lesson, which was planned for first graders, sparked debate across the community, WILX reports.

“The purpose of the mini-lesson was to promote greater understanding, compassion, and kindness regarding gender identity and the use of pronouns after concerns were brought to our attention,” wrote Superintendent Shanna Spickard on Facebook.

Spickard says parents and guardians were informed in advance and given the opportunity to opt their child out of the lesson or request a more in-depth look at the lesson plan.

After the lesson was announced, Spickard says several school staff members “received inappropriate, angry, and threatening phone calls, emails, and social media messages.” She added that some staff members were subject to a …