‘People Are Cruel’: OKC PFLAG Vice President Offers Insight Amid Backlash At Western Heights Schools

The Western Heights school district is managing controversy over an elementary school principal who performs as a drag queen.

A leader with an advocacy organization in Oklahoma City said backlash can cause irreparable harm to others in the LGBTQ community.   

This week people said a lot of words both in support and against John Glenn Elementary School Principal Shane Murnan.   

“I don’t think there’s any place for that in our schools,” said Ryan Walters, state superintendent of public instruction in an interview with News 9 last week.   

Even words of support couldn’t heal the wound from others.  

“People are cruel,” said Brande Sanders, vice president of PFLAG Oklahoma City.   

Murnan performs as a drag queen on weekends.   

“It feels like society’s getting away from kindness,” Sanders said. 

Sanders views drag shows as art entertainment, she says, often raises money for community causes.   

“They’re performers with a purpose,” Sanders said. “Purpose is good.”  

Walters took to social media on Monday condemning Murnan’s role at his school.  

“We have a drag queen running a school,” Walters said. “It’s absolutely unbelievable.” 

PFLAG is a national organization that advocates for adults and children within the LGBTQ community. 

“Do what I can to support the community,” Sanders said. “They see these words. They see the hate.”  

Sanders would understand. Both of her children are gay.   

“When your kid comes out as gay, there’s an added worry to that,” Sanders said. 

A 2022 Trevor Project survey found 45 percent of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide. For many, the lack of family and neighborhood support steals their hope.  

“I’ve driven two and a half hours to go pick somebody up because they felt like their life was in danger and they just didn’t want to do it anymore,” Sanders said. 

Sanders believes people should use their words to get to know a person and create a place where empathy becomes the definition of a community. 

“Maybe make a friend,” Sanders said. “Something that you do could save a life a child’s life at that.”