PORTAGE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Portage Public Schools appear to be in damage-control mode after FOIA documents revealed a $10,000 grant from “It Gets Better” Project were earmarked to create a “gender affirming closet” at one of its high schools and middle schools.

Now, it’s changed to a generic clothes closet to include clothes and supplies for all students in need, not just those who identify as LGBTQ.

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The grant was awarded in May to the Gender and Sexuality Alliance club (GSA) at Portage Northern. In the application, the gender affirming closet for Portage Northern High School and Middle School detailed the ideas that emerged in a brainstorming session with students about what they would do if awarded the $10,000 grant.

“I could actually try some things out that I can’t try out at home,” one student said. “I usually change when I get to school anyway and I have to hide some of my clothing from my mom.”

The “hide” part is what startled parent Kelly Sackett.  In the application, it said “our objective [for the Portage Northern gender affirming closet] is to provide students with a wide variety of clothing – including accessories that students may not have the money or safety to access at home like make-up, shoes, and chest binders.”

“There’s nothing wrong with inclusivity,” Sackett said. She is a member of Kalamazoo County Citizens United and Vice Chair of the Kalamazoo GOP. “The problem is don’t hide it from parents. There is a fundamental right that the school works with the parents. For the school to blatantly not follow those guidelines is wrong.”

The group said a revised application was submitted to “It Gets Better” after one administrator expressed fears over possible parent pushback and suggested a “rebranding” of the closet.

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Michigan News Source reached out to Portage Public Schools for a comment but officials did not contact us by press time.

According to its website, It Gets Better Project’s goal is “to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.”

The next school board meeting is Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Portage Central High School.