Santa Ynez High Breaks Agreement with LGBTQ Students Due to Complaints
By the edhat staff
Santa Ynez Valley Union High School broke an agreement with an LGBTQ+ student organization last week after receiving complaints over temporary rainbow crosswalks, reports Tyler Hayden at the Santa Barbara Independent.
Four rainbow-colored crosswalks at the campus entrance were part of a "No Place for Hate" campaign promoting anti-bullying that school administrators had previously approved. After receiving critiques from community members, Superintendent Andrew Schwab and Principal Michael Niehoff caved to outside pressure and ordered the crosswalks to be painted over.
The public school officials stated they agreed with detractors stating “schools should not be politicized or used for outside agendas that cause division or disrupt school activities.”
SYV Pride, an LGBTQ+ community group, initially posted a message of hope when the campaign began and even thanked Principal Niehoff for the support.
"At a time when local leaders fail us, we are continually inspired by the youth for their leadership, courage, and vision. We believe all signs forward are pointing towards a more inclusive, loving, and safe valley for all, including its LGBTQ+ community members," SYV Pride posted on Instagram. "And thank you to Principal Niehoff and SYVUHS for supporting the painting of the crosswalks."
After Niehoff and school administrators backtracked on the inclusive art project, SYV Pride and community resource center Rainbow House expressed deep disappointment.
"They have not only gone against their word in approving the rainbow crosswalks for the week, but have scapegoated the LGBTQIA+ community as being 'political' and 'divisive'... It is clear that the administration felt pressure from select individuals (mostly adults) who took issue with the crosswalks. There was no communication to prepare for this fallout, and now our youth are suffering. As leaders at the high school, our youth deserve better. They deserve integrity, honesty, and a commitment to all students, not just some," the community organizations stated.
"We must use our voice to support an inclusive community that values all its members. Please email Principal Niehoff mniehoff@syvuhsd.org and Superintendent Schwab aschwab@syvuhsd.org with your support of the GSA and the 'No Place for Hate' initiative on campus. Because our youth deserve better."
This is at least the third recent incident in the Santa Ynez Valley that appears to target the LGBTQ+ community.
Two weeks ago, two Santa Ynez men were charged with petty theft and civil rights violations after stealing and burning rainbow flags, also known as Pride Flags that represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Last month, Hayden also reported the City of Solvang rejected a proposal to hang rainbow flags for Pride Month as city councilmember Robert Clarke went on the record with bigoted and hateful comments towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Message of support for LGBTQ+ students in the Santa Ynez Valley, and frustrations over the perceived homophobia have flooded social media.
"My heart is heavy. How on earth can our students feel safe to simply exist if they see the 'adults' in power quite literally erase the very thing that stands for inclusion for all in front of their very eyes?" one Instagram user wrote.
Read Hayden's full report on the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School incident here.
Comments Penalty Box
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44 Comments deleted by Administrator
54 Comments
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May 31, 2023 06:20 AMWhy do sexuality and gender need to be talked about in school? Shouldn't the focus be on learning? It's the parent's job to teach THEIR children about this IF they choose to do so.
How many of you support GLSEN (Hiding gender transitioning from parents).
I commend Superintendent Andrew Schwab and Principal Michael Niehoff! The only flags that need to be flown in schools are the State and National flags.
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May 31, 2023 09:55 AMDo you know anyone who is gay, trans, non-binary? Because I do, and these kids need to know they are accepted for who they are. "Does it need to be talked about in school?" Yes, just like sex ed and any other health topic. It's a frigging rainbow. Who doesn't like rainbows?
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May 31, 2023 08:47 AMWRECKLESS - this isn't about teaching kids "sexuality and gender," it's about allowing a group of students to celebrate and feel good about themselves, despite all the hate and ignorance they have to deal with on a daily basis, especially in SYV.
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Apr 10, 2023 02:05 AMReminds me of the rainbow arch on Cabrillo. Is it still there?
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Apr 04, 2023 09:00 AMNote to SYV politicos: you can foster an image of intolerance and possibly suffer an LGTBQ boycott like happened in Arizona, or you can develop a reputation of acceptance and create the financial vibrancy of a Palm Springs. The former seems archaic, the latter progressive and enriching....if you catch my drift.
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Apr 03, 2023 06:09 PMVOICE - My "takeaway" stems from how you defended those who prohibited the rainbow flags and crosswalks in Solvang. Are you now saying you support rainbow crosswalks at this school? If you think the school was wrong to do this and support these students in having their temporary rainbow crosswalks, then I do apologize.
Now be honest.... do you support the LGBQT+ students here? Yes or no. No dancing around. YES. NO?
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Apr 04, 2023 09:23 AMSo you are FOR banning the temporary rainbow sidewalks. I was right.
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Apr 04, 2023 08:53 AMAs it pertains to your question today, I don’t only support one individual group of students but support all students to express themselves in appropriate manner both on and off campus, I support parents in expressing their support and concerns about their child’s education and school environment, I support the school administration balancing the different needs and concerns coming from the community, and I support the community to do what best for their own community whether I agree with they’re doing or not.
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Apr 04, 2023 08:51 AMSacjon, you asked why some people would be against painting rainbows on schools crosswalks. I explained why some people would feel that way. That simple explanation, neither a pro/con or defense/support of the what occurred, was met by you and another regular EdScold by misguided and inappropriate screams of transphobia, homophobia, bigotry, among others. Your intolerance and disingenuousness to others who don't 100% agree with you, or in this case, simply answer a question you yourself posed, is particularly astounding here because very little information has been released about what the school originally agreed to with students, the type of feedback they received from parents, and detail into the rationale for removing it -- yet you are so sure of what happened and why.
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Apr 03, 2023 12:05 PMhttps://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2023/03/29/those-dirty-filthy-disgusting-rainbows/
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Apr 03, 2023 10:27 AM“schools should not be politicized or used for outside agendas that cause division or disrupt school activities.”
- sexual orientation is not political. As hard as it may be to believe, I have gay friends who are Republicans.
- If rainbows cause division, ask yourself why.
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Apr 03, 2023 11:04 AMThe homophobicans keep talking about this "agenda." What is the agenda of the LGBQT community? What is you cowards think it is they're trying to "push" on you? Tolerance and acceptance of people born differently than yourself? THAT is the only "agenda." Why is that such a bad agenda?
Tell me, why is it so wrong and "divisive" to be empathetic towards others or be aware of the struggles of those born into a different life situation, be it sexuality or race? Why do you so many of you oppose this idea?
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Apr 03, 2023 07:34 AMVery SAD day. Shame on Superintendent. You Made a promise!! Way to lead!
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Apr 02, 2023 06:21 PMAnd maybe he doesn’t care anymore.
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Apr 02, 2023 06:24 PMWhoosh!
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Apr 02, 2023 05:56 PMMaybe the parents weren't “offended” by rainbow road restriping on the school property. Maybe they just don’t believe that everyone has the right to do whatever they want wherever they want. You know what I mean? No? Ok.
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Apr 03, 2023 12:04 PMhttps://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2023/03/29/those-dirty-filthy-disgusting-rainbows/
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Apr 02, 2023 06:02 PMMaybe Jerry Roberts really was alone in that room.
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Apr 02, 2023 05:47 PMSir Isaac Newton was woke!
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Apr 02, 2023 05:27 PMSeems like both Solvang and Santa Ynez are busily telling us which kinds of people they don't want around.
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Apr 02, 2023 03:12 PMGuess you can't please everyone all the time...
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Apr 02, 2023 02:12 PMWe’ve( as a culture) moved so far into the ‘Pretend Syndrome’, as in let’s pretend she’s a man or he’s a woman, or better yet, let’s pretend our leaders aren’t scoundrels and criminals, or pretend that we care about humanity ( other than our own kind) or that assault weapons are the lone cause for our murderous culture; so why not pretend that you made a commitment to the Queer community and simply break it.
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Apr 02, 2023 11:53 AMThose of you asking where this anti LGBTQ+ mindset is coming from, it’s fervently fostered by Fox News and its ilk. The culture warriors. Instilling panic over unisex bathrooms and drag queens and history books.
This country needs to move forward, not backward.
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Apr 03, 2023 10:24 AMMy kid's elementary school has unisex bathrooms for adults - single locking stalls. It totally makes sense in a place where 2/3 of the adults are female.
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Apr 02, 2023 05:12 PMUnisex bathrooms in schools, you’re saying?
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Apr 02, 2023 05:09 PMThe Republican party, fox news, and the Christian extremists. The Repuglicans are still using the same culture war BS they tried in the 70's - make their followers scared - when they get real scared they donate and perpetuate the virus.
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Apr 02, 2023 10:30 AMNot sure why so many 'Well said. Amen"s showed up. That was in reply to EngNRng anyway.
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Apr 02, 2023 12:17 PMClick "send" only once. Sometimes the comment doesn't show up until your refresh the page. But you only need to click once to post a comment even if it doesn't show up right away.
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Apr 02, 2023 10:28 AMI grew up with an older lesbian sister in the 50s. it was VERY VERY hard for her.
Young LGBTQ+ need to look at how FAR things have come and RELAX.
There are SO many kids joinng the LGBTQ+ ranks now that it doesn't even seem rebellious or cool anymore. Lots of followers.
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Apr 02, 2023 07:33 PMWhat ridiculous logic. By that standard, should black people blocked from equal legal treatment and using public spaces before the civil rights movement have "relaxed" because they weren't hiding or enslaved anymore? We're all humans, at least I think so but I've been having doubts lately with all these reptilian cult followers.
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Apr 02, 2023 05:38 PMNot very Christian of you SZQ as you, but it is in line with your previous homophobic comments on edhat.
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Apr 02, 2023 01:37 PM" it doesn't even seem rebellious or cool anymore" - wow. So to you, who had a "lesbian sister," being gay is just something kids were doing to be "rebellious or cool?" Man..... just wow.
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Apr 02, 2023 11:18 AM"Young LGBTQ+ need to look at how FAR things have come and RELAX." Come a long way?? You mean like being beaten, killed, threatened, and discriminated against is progress?
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Apr 02, 2023 09:44 AMNo to Rainbows, and yes to hate.
That’s how SYSD rolls. If you don’t like it,
Home School your kids.
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Apr 02, 2023 11:52 AMWrong way around, and shows just how backward this is... Public schools should always accept and show support for all demographics! If you don't like THAT, home school. Not the other way around.
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Apr 02, 2023 08:29 AMIs SYV the new Florida?
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Apr 02, 2023 06:40 AMSYHS has more problems than this. Where's the info about the potential lawsuit regarding racial taunting at basketball games?
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Apr 01, 2023 10:18 PMDoes anyone have more insight into why the Christian extremists suddenly hate gay people more than before? They had Prop 8 which seemed like the last hurrah here, but suddenly they seem extra bigoted. One plausible factor to it that I heard was many churches during Covid closed or lost significant followers so the mega crazy churches got more mega and more crazy. Plus Qanon and daddy issues playing out with the ex-Potus?
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Apr 03, 2023 06:23 PMVoR: I dont really hate anything except leafblowers on Saturday morning. On the other hand, I dont have tolerance for holier-than-thou hypocrites who hate people who dont conform to their worldview. This was a small minority of Christians, but has seemingly increased rapidly with the prosperity gospel, Christian nationalism, and the rise of mega churches. I actually went to a mega church just to try it out and the "sermon" was about how Oprah introducing people to yoga and meditation was a secret plot by the liberals to bring demons into people's minds.
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Apr 03, 2023 11:55 AMVOICE - "entire religion?" You're wrong. Again. Again, you're having trouble with reading again and absolutes...again.
CHILLIN specifically said "Christian extremists," (10:18pm) not "all the Christians of the world." Please make more of an effort.
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Apr 03, 2023 09:44 AMChillin, are you able to recognize your incredible lack of tolerance and hate toward an entire religion because of the outspoken viewpoints from a small minority of them?
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Apr 02, 2023 07:29 PMClarification: people calling themselves Christian but forgetting what the Bible actually says. Jesus spent time with and professed love for lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, and beggars. "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
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Apr 02, 2023 10:22 AMWell said.
Amen
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Apr 02, 2023 08:11 AMIt can't be complaints from Christians. "Love thy neighbor as thyself" No Christian who has taken Jesus Christ into their heart would complain about such things or say hateful things about others. No, these people are definitely not Christian. If they attend Christian churches, they are Deceivers and are hidden supporters of the Anti-Christ. Time to pray for their souls.
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Apr 01, 2023 06:37 PMI realize that the rainbow has a symbolic meaning, but jeez, it’s not a blatant logo. Rainbows! Pretty colors, the sign of hope after a storm. If people don’t support the LGBTQ I et cetera cause, can’t they just pretend they are pretty colors?
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Apr 02, 2023 03:43 PMYou’re an eyesore and inappropriate but you get to be in public.
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Apr 02, 2023 01:36 PMLUVADUCK - ugh.... that's just plain gross.
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Apr 02, 2023 07:48 AMLUVADUCK shame on you for attempting to minimize and sweep blatant hate and homophobia under the rug. Pathetic.
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Apr 02, 2023 07:21 AMBecause they're an eye sore and inappropriate in some places including street surfaces?
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Apr 01, 2023 06:29 PMUnbelievable. To call it "political and divisive"? It is neither of those things; that is offensive. What a bunch of redneck THUGS in SYV. That is really too bad the school caved to the pressure of hateful thugs. What an awful message to send to the students.
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