Kristi Noem pushes for South Dakota college board to prohibit drag shows, pronoun preferences on campuses

Kristi Noem pushes for South Dakota college board to prohibit drag shows, pronoun preferences on campuses
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaking in Nebraska City, Nebraska on September 20, 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)
Bank

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) is appealing to the South Dakota college board to implement prohibitions in areas that target the LGBTQ+ community.

According to The Hill, the Republican governor is calling on the college board to ban drag shows on college campuses and remove pronoun preferences, which would force students to only be identified by the gender specified on their birth certificates.

The governor's letter, addressed to the South Dakota Board of Regents, was released on Thursday, May 26.

READ MORE: South Dakota voters ended marijuana prohibition — but Kristi Noem helped get it overturned by a judge

In her letter, Noem urged the board to use their state as an “example to the nation of what quality higher education should look like.”

In addition to the proposed ban on drag shows and pronouns, the news outlet notes that Noem is also appealing to the board to "take more steps to partner with businesses on registered apprenticeship programs, find ways to make college more affordable, require courses in American government and U.S. history and review all funding for university centers and donations to ensure no money is coming from China."

“For the last several decades, many states have allowed liberal ideologies to poison their universities and colleges," Noem said. "Once a hotbed of ideological diversity, debate, and the pursuit of truth and discovery, many institutions have become one-sided, close-minded, and focused on feelings rather than facts.”

For months now, the Republican governor has taken action aimed at transgender residents in her state.

READ MORE: Kristi Noem mocked after admitting she's 'shocked' Biden's infrastructure plan includes money for 'housing and pipes'

Back in February, she signed a piece of legislation that blocks transgender student-athletes from being allowed to compete and participate in sports with girls and women. She also incorporated a ban to block gender-affirming medical treatment for youths in the state that identify as transgenders.

Noem's latest attack aimed at the LGBTQ+ community also comes along with the rollout of another initiative. The governor has announced the development of a hotline for parents, students, and faculty members to report complaints and concerns about the state's educational institutes.

“Our children are our future, and South Dakota universities and technical colleges should best prepare them for our future,” she said. “As I work with our Board of Regents and Board of Technical Education to chart our path for higher education, we are giving students, faculty, and parents this tool to help voice any concerns so that they can be addressed.”

READ MORE: The nation's worst COVID governor? Trump superfan Kristi Noem is a rising GOP star — but she may have mismanaged the crisis worst of all

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2023 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.