WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Independent Women’s Voice released a 30-second ad entitled “Worth 1,000 Words” that dares to show the sexually explicit materials that have been available to kids in Virginia public schools. IWV tried to buy time on late night television to inform adults about the content in Virginia schools, but Virginia TV stations refused to air it, claiming federal law prohibits putting pornographic images on air, even late at night, and even when it is news.
For those who wish to see for themselves, the ad may be viewed at ToxicSchools.org. Parents also will find links to take action to support needed reforms.
“It’s shocking that images, and even some words, that federal law prohibits TV stations to share with adults are the same images being shared with Virginia students with no accountability,” said IWV Vice President of Communications Victoria Coley.
Yet that’s no surprise given that in 2016, then-Governor McAuliffe vetoed a bill that would have allowed parents to block sexually explicit books in schools. And, in 2021, he stated that he didn’t think parents should have a say about what is imposed on their children—despite the parental rights that Virginia law gives to parents in regards to their children.
Parents have a right to know what their kids are being taught and exposed to—and a right to tell schools what they want their children to be learning.
Carrie Lukas, vice president of Independent Women’s Voice and a parent of 5 Virginia public school students, said, “Independent Women’s Voice has been told to stand down—that we are trying to push out inappropriate materials that violate federal regulations—when we are simply highlighting wildly inappropriate books in Virginia schools. All we want is to make sure that parents and citizens know what is happening in the schools they are paying for and trusting with their children.”
The full ad is available at www.ToxicSchools.org. IWV has submitted a second, blurred ad, so that parents may be fully informed.
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Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.