Being pro-America is not about hating anyone

Mr. Cox recently wrote an opinion piece to Colorado Community Media about a post that I made on my social media page. One should note that the introductory paragraph on my page states “I love this county and I love our community, and I am honored to represent Douglas County HD 39!”

I take very seriously my obligations to represent the values of my community while serving on the state legislature. I’ve always been forthcoming about my values as a Christian, which are in alignment with the Judeo Christian values that our country was founded on as stated in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

My worldview is very much shaped by these values, and as such I question why there’s a push to elevate a particular group of peoplethose in the LGBTQ community - over others.

In particular, why are we choosing to elevate a particular attribute of a group versus the accomplishments of individuals? e former appears to be in direct contradiction to the principles on which our country was founded, which elevates the rights and liberties of individuals, not groups.

On my social media page, I expressed an opinion that I would prefer that Pride Month be an expression of Pride for our veterans and military. Mr. Cox chose to view that as disrespectful, which is unfortunate.

I can’t control how others interpret my words, nor will I try to deduce Mr. Cox’s motivations for suggesting that I aim to divide our community.

I welcome this opportunity to clarify for our community that I do not hate anyone. at is antithetical to my worldview as a Christian, one in which Jesus teaches us to love everyone.

In my role as a state house representative, I have stood for the rights of all women, parents and children in various bills that I have written and voted on. I certainly don’t require that my

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Letter To The Editor

The rest of the story e DAC is an autonomous and diverse body composed of parent and community representation from all feeders, in addition to primary and secondary school district sta . e DAC is respectfully independent from our board of education (BOE) liaisons, Director Myers and Director Meek. e fact is that the DAC did not have ample time to provide feedback on the KB Parent and Community Engagement Policy. We were notied of the BOE’s last-minute request with a few weeks’ notice, and we only had room for one 25-minute agenda item during our 6/15 virtual meeting, due to other pre-set agenda items. A 25-minute discussion is not sufcient for a committee of our size to review and come to a consensus on such an important policy document’s proposed changes. erefore, the DAC unanimously agreed to request additional time from the BOE, and both Director Myers and Director Ray (Director Meek was unable to attend) supported our request during the DAC’s 6/15 meeting.

In response to Tammi Flemming’s letter to the editor (re: the 6/29 “Changes to school district parent policy approved in 4-2 vote” story), I would like to respond as an individual and just one District Accountability Committee (DAC) member who has served on the committee for the past two years, as well as a parent who has been an active participant in our schools and district since 2009.

Interestingly, the BOE’s KB policy version changed the day after the DAC met and we weren’t all aware of this, nor was it communicated clearly. During the 6/20 school board meeting, there was not a coordinated attack on any board member. In fact, the DAC felt con dent that more time would be granted to us.

I was watching the 6/20 school board meeting online and felt blindsided that the DAC was not allowed additional time to review the KB policy before it was voted upon and passed by the BOE majority, as well as frustrated that the DAC was not represented accurately during the board meeting.

Per Colorado Statute 22-32-142, “... the board of education shall work with the parent members of the district accountability committee in creating, adopting, and implementing the [parent engagement] policy.” Unfortunately, that did not occur. However, the DAC will continue to work on this item, as well as the others that it is tasked with. e community is always welcome to attend DAC’s monthly meetings.

Kelly Pointer Highlands Ranch

Speak out about drag

Last summer Castle Rock Pride held a highly sexualized “PrideFest” at our taxpayer-funded Douglas County Fairgrounds. Videos of the event shocked the good people of

Douglas County. A bearded man in shnet tights and sexy spangles danced and waggled his exposed butt cheeks in front of small children a few feet away. Another bearded fake woman on a swing aggressively exposed his fake plastic breasts plus nipples. e Pride group later issued an “apology” claiming a “wardrobe malfunction.” And the three Dougco commissioners bought it, even though the performer laughed onstage about showing his “girls” and the leopard-clad MC mockingly added, “this is supposed to be a family friendly event” as an on-stage poster claimed. Another performer went into the audience including children, serenading: “Sex is in the air, I don’t care, I love the smell of it/ sticks and stones may break my bones but chains and whips excite me.”

Unsurprisingly, celebrating sadomasochism before children is frowned upon by most Douglas County citizens. Yet the commissioners at their May 9 meeting failed to protect children from the next sexually explicit drag show. ey ignored speakers, including me, who asked the August event be adults-only. omas and Laydon said they believe seeing sexualized drag shows will improve the mental health of kids who think they may be LGBTQ and could attempt suicide. Whoa. Could it be these kids are sexually confused or suicidal partly because the LGBTQ lobby targets children at drag shows with bearded men dressed as women — during children’s most vulnerable time while they’re su ering the typical emotional/mental turbulence of pre-adolescence? Could they be depressed because as they’re guring out their identity, the LGBTQ promoters/performers act out their own adult sexual confusion? Children don’t know the di erence between fake but very realistic breasts and the real thing. Even small children know that mommies have breasts and daddies have beards. What does the child think seeing “women” with beards: is this a combination of mommy and daddy, or an entirely new being with physical characteristics of both? How does sexual confusion help a child?

Along with their fake apology, PrideFest gave commissioners a list of “Guidelines.” ey say a Pride member, “will be present and watching live performances ... monitoring for any mishaps … inappropriate displays and will have authority to stop any situation that may arise.” Of course, by then the “situation” will already have occurred. If you want to speak about the drag event, commissioners are holding a town hall on 7/26 at 6:00, 100 ird St., Castle Rock.

Joy Overbeck Parker

Board should follow policies Tammi Flemming’s letter titled “News story was lacking,” omits students from DCSD’s Parent and Family Engagement policy (KBB).

Flemming mentioned “the rights of parents” but what about the rights of students?

In June, the District Accountability Committee (DAC) wrote a resolution where they requested, “DAC would like to thoroughly stakehold KBB with SACS and other parent organizations.”

However, the board did not allow time for the DAC to contact School Accountability Committees (SACS) like the Student Advisory Group (SAG) for feedback on President Mike Peterson’s policy revisions to KBB. Board Secretary Becky Myers wrote in an email to Chester Shaw — chair of the District Accountability Committee, “Also share with DAC that I personally want SAG input o the table.”

Revisions to the Parent and Family Engagement policy, speci cally language around the words “compelled” and “identity,” can directly impact students in the LGBTQ community and the board president scheduled a vote on these during summer break. SAG students have previously made public comments about recent changes to the Educational Equity policy, concerned with how policy revisions could impact this community. is board majority recently faced litigation following a discrimination complaint from former superintendent Corey Wise, which they settled for $832,733.61. His employment was terminated after advocating that the Board not discriminate against LGBTQ students.

Following the DAC’s request on a ursday, President Peterson revised his revisions before Tuesday’s meeting, which none of the committees had the opportunity to review before the Board’s (4-2) vote. is went against a statute that states:

SEE LETTERS, P18

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

They proudly call themselves the B.O.B. from the 303, bringing the Big Easy up to high altitudes with their soul-gripping blend of music stylings with New Orleans jazz.

Known for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings is the French Quarter. e French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans, and jazz is its heartbeat.

Breathing life into Bourbon Street are the sounds of brass instruments and drums continuously owing out of numerous jazz clubs. With just a trumpet, clarinet, berry sax, alto sax, trombone, snare, bass drum and tuba, the Brothers of Brass are bringing that one and only soulful heartbeat to Colorado.

“It’s a cultural tradition that most of the country doesn’t have,” said Armando Lopez, a member of the Brothers of Brass.

e group’s repertoire is a simmering mix of slow and angsty tunes and fast-paced tempos with a kick of familiar melodies. e Brothers of Brass blend of other genres like R&B, hip hop and psychedelic jam rock into each set.

A day after a tornado hit Highlands Ranch in late June, the Brothers of Brass dished out a much-needed evening of fun for the community. Soon, everyone went from clapping to full-out dancing, allowing concertgoers a chance to relax.

“It was nice to see so many kids, like, actually getting up out of their seats and the older people getting up and dancing and enjoying the music,” said Khalil Simon, who is originally from New Orleans. “It’s not so often that we get to play like New Orleans brass music for a crowd like this and appreciate it, that’s pretty unique.”

Not only did the band members interact with one another on stage throughout the night, they got the crowd involved by singing along and repeating after them. Although it was an outdoor concert, there was no excuse for the crowd not being loud enough.

Among some crowd favorites were “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. And of course, they couldn’t call themselves a brass band without playing the beloved spiritual hymn “When the Saints Go Marching In.” e strong, powerful notes of brass instruments and the beautiful harmo-

In true New Orleans fashion, each band member was called out to do a solo, each one emoting a di erent feeling.

As the music continued and the sun began to set, the crowd let the good times roll as more children and adults came to the front of the stage, dancing as if it were Mardi Gras.

Just when the sun went behind the buildings, the Brothers of Brass were kind enough to strap on their instruments for an encore, playing “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.