Gwen Walz Discussed Sexual Orientation With Students in the 90s, Sparking Parental Concerns

As Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz campaigns for 2024, his wife Gwen Walz is drawing attention for her past actions as a high school teacher, where she discussed sexual orientation with students in the 1990s. Former student Jacob Reitan, who is now a lawyer in Minneapolis, recalls that Gwen Walz openly talked about LGBTQ issues on the first day of class, an uncommon and controversial topic at the time.

Reitan, who had not yet come out as gay, shared how Walz’s openness stunned him and other students who had never heard a teacher address such issues in the classroom. He said her remarks gave him the confidence to come out, but critics argue that these conversations may have overstepped the role of educators, especially without parental knowledge or consent.

• First-day LGBTQ discussions: Gwen Walz reportedly initiated conversations about sexual orientation with high school students as early as the first day of class.

• Lack of parental involvement: These early LGBTQ discussions were done without informing parents, sparking concerns over the role of teachers in such sensitive matters.

• Walz’s long-standing activism: The Walzes have been involved in LGBTQ advocacy for decades, even as Tim Walz has come under fire for supporting far-left transgender policies in Minnesota.

Reitan recalls that Walz presented her classroom as a safe space for LGBTQ students, a radical stance in the 90s, especially in Mankato, Minnesota. After coming out to Walz, Reitan said she shared stories of how she and her husband, Tim Walz, had supported other gay students during their teaching years in Nebraska. This support extended to helping Reitan establish a Gay-Straight Alliance at Mankato High School, where Tim Walz served as the group’s faculty advisor.

Despite Reitan’s positive experience, many parents today would be outraged to discover that such discussions were happening without their knowledge. The backlash over what is taught in classrooms has only grown since the pandemic, when parents were exposed to curriculum involving discussions on gender, sexuality, race, and other controversial topics. This frustration helped propel Republican victories, such as Glenn Youngkin’s gubernatorial win in Virginia, where parental rights were a central issue.

The Walz family’s deep involvement in LGBTQ advocacy has become a focal point during the campaign. Tim Walz has signed several pieces of legislation promoting transgender rights, including a law allowing minors to access gender-affirming surgeries and hormones without parental consent. These moves have earned him both praise and sharp criticism, particularly from conservative voters and parents concerned about government overreach.

At the same time, Gwen Walz’s actions as a teacher in the 90s reflect the couple’s long-standing activism in LGBTQ issues, even at a time when such topics were far more taboo. However, for parents who want to protect their right to guide their children’s education, her decisions raise serious questions about the role of educators in discussing personal issues like sexual orientation and gender identity.

As the 2024 election approaches, the Walzes' history of advocacy and involvement in LGBTQ matters will likely continue to be a key issue for voters, especially as the national debate over parental rights and education intensifies.

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