Backlash as drag queen hired as school principal in Oklahoma

An elementary school in Oklahoma is facing a huge backlash after hiring a drag queen as school principal – with the superintendent denouncing the decision as complete ‘insanity.’ Ryan Walters (pictured left), superintendent of the State of Oklahoma, has called for the immediate termination of the drag queen who goes by the name ‘Shantel Mandalay.’

Walters, a vocal opponent of the move, slammed the hiring decision by Western Heights School District, and told Fox News Digital: ‘It’s outrageous to have a drag queen running a school, you know, here in Oklahoma that doesn’t line up with Oklahoma values.’ He cited parental concerns about what he called ‘woke left-wing indoctrination’ and ‘ gender theory’ in schools. ‘I hear from parents every day that are concerned with this woke left-wing indoctrination or schools, this gender theory that continues to be thrust upon our kids. It’s completely inappropriate.’

The drag queen in question, Dr. Shane Murnan (pictured), who was named principal of John Glenn Elementary School in June, has a controversial past, with child [Expletive] content charges nearly 20 years ago that were later dropped. The judge dismissed his charges during the preliminary hearing due to a lack of probable cause, according to Fox25. However, the school district defended the hiring, emphasizing the individual’s qualifications and outstanding reputation.

The school district released a statement, stating: ‘Dr. Murnan (pictured) has been serving the field of education for more than 25 years and has an outstanding reputation,’ the school district wrote. ‘He comes highly recommended from previous supervisors, colleagues, and educators. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Masters of Education in Educational Administration, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration,’ it added. ‘We welcome Dr. Murnan to Western Heights, and we are very excited about his vision for John Glenn and the community.’

Murnan works as a drag queen at a venue called ‘The Boom,’ according to her Facebook page. He also visits libraries and reads books to children dressed in drag. Murnan read children’s books during a story hour at the Metropolitan Library System in June, according to Fox25. ‘By day, she’s an Assistant Principal, molding young minds, but by night, she’s the life of the party,’ according to a Facebook post announcing Murnan’s participation in the 2023 Pride Benefit Gala. According to Murnan’s bio, he has an ‘impressive array of titles,’.

Walters argued that this decision is part of a broader agenda by the left to influence children’s beliefs and break down family units. ‘Their end goal is to absolutely break down a child’s mind, break down the classroom, break down the family, and you see the results that have come from this. They want kids to turn on their parents and only listen to their leftist ideology,’ he added. Walters argued that the decision is part of the left’s ‘scheme’ to control student values. ‘And how do you do it?’ he said. ‘You start…. breaking them apart and say, listen, you’re gender-fluid. Listen, you can change your pronouns…. Look at the sexual material. When the kid takes it home and their parent is outraged by it, the kids turn on their parents.’

Walters claimed the agenda is turning children away from the beliefs of their parents. ‘This is absolutely trying to break down that family unit, so the kid is more susceptible to the most radical Marxist gender ideology we’ve ever seen to pit groups of people against each other. And frankly, it’s to create Democrat voters. No parent wants to send their kids to school knowing that they could be exposed to this radical gender theory in any capacity. This woke war on our kids has to stop. We will not allow it in Oklahoma. This is the liberal insanity that every parent wants out of the classroom,’ Walters added.

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