GROSSE POINTE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Community backlash prompted Grosse Pointe Public Schools Acting Superintendent Dr. Roy Bishop Jr. to issue a letter clarifying why a “family-friendly” drag show and Pride event was allowed at one of the district’s elementary schools.

In the letter, Bishop said the Pride event, sponsored by Welcoming Everyone, began at a different location and “was not a school- or district-sponsored event.” The June 20 event ended at Maire Elementary with various activities, including drag performers who danced in front of young children and received “tips” from them. A June 22 school board meeting drew both supporters and opponents of the event.

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Bishop added, “This was an event hosted by a third-party organization that rented district property in accordance with the district’s facility use policies.” According to Bishop, Welcoming Everyone submitted a facility use request in February, and the district’s central office approved it in March. The school board did not vote on the request.

Bishop said, “School facilities are rented to offset the cost of maintaining our beautiful buildings and grounds.” He also clarified that approving the facility rental does not constitute an endorsement of the event.