What is GenderCool? State Farm Cuts Ties With LGBTQ Program After Backlash
ban gender identity and LBGTQ topics from being discussed in school curriculums."State Farm's support of a philanthropic program, GenderCool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries," the company said in a statement to reporters late Monday. "Conversations about gender and identity should happen at home with parents.
We don't support required curriculum in schools on this topic. We support organizations providing resources for parents to have these conversations."The company added that it will "continue to explore how we can support organizations that provide tools and resources that align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion."The announcement came after a State Farm staffer reportedly leaked an internal email to the non-profit group Consumers' Research, which asked insurance agents in Florida to help donate books about transgender and non-binary representation for children aged 5 and up.The email stated that its mission was to "help diversify classroom, community center and library bookshelves with a collection of books to help bring clarity and understanding to the national conversation about Being Transgender, Inclusive and Non-Binary." The message came as Florida's Republican-led government this year signed into law legislation that prohibits "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specified manner." The law, dubbed by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill, has sparked a widespread national debate about parental rights.
