A recent investigative report by Meg Brock in The Daily Caller has uncovered a troubling partnership between Planned Parenthood Keystone and the Reading School District. This partnership has led to the implementation of gender ideology-infused sexual education programs and an after-school LGBTQ+ club that includes activities such as painting naked transgender bodies, Condom Olympics, and queer Jeopardy. These programs, which include students and young adults aged 14 to 21, have been fully approved by the school board despite concerns from parents and the community.
Planned Parenthood’s Expanding Role in Reading Schools
As Meg Brock details in her story, the collaboration between the Reading School District and Planned Parenthood Keystone began in March 2022, when the school board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement allowed Planned Parenthood to provide comprehensive sex education for high school students, ensuring that gender identity was presented in an “open, non-stigmatizing” manner. Additionally, the MOU approved the establishment of “The Spectrum,” an LGBTQ+ youth program for students and young adults.
Subsequent agreements in August 2022 and June 2023 expanded Planned Parenthood’s reach into middle schools at no cost to the district. Parents were given opt-out forms if they did not want their children to participate. However, many have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the nature of the content being introduced to students.
A Push for Greater Influence
This is not the first time Planned Parenthood has sought a foothold in the Reading School District. In 2017, the organization attempted to establish a medical clinic at Reading High School, which would have been funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The proposal faced significant community opposition and was ultimately rejected. Despite this setback, Planned Parenthood has continued its efforts to integrate its Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) program into schools across the country.
Planned Parenthood’s political arm has also been actively involved in school board elections, endorsing candidates who support their agenda. As we first reported in January, and has been widely covered in various news outlets, the organization is working to increase its influence in Pennsylvania school districts by supporting pro-Planned Parenthood candidates.
Parental Concerns and Transparency Issues
A particularly alarming aspect of the program is the confidentiality policy enforced in The Spectrum LGBTQ+ youth club. According to the MOU, students can attend the club without parental consent, and attendees are explicitly told not to discuss what happens in meetings. This lack of transparency has sparked outrage among parents and community advocates who believe schools should work in partnership with parents rather than circumventing them.
Randal Wenger, Chief Counsel at the Independence Law Center at the PA Family Institute, was quoted in Meg Brock’s article, emphasising the need for accountability:
“We encourage the district to prioritize empowering parents and focus on fostering an educational environment that values transparency, accountability, and parental involvement. Schools should be places where parents and educators work together to support students.”
Further concerns have been raised about whether adults aged 18 to 21 participating in the club are subject to proper background checks. While Planned Parenthood Keystone staff are required to obtain child abuse clearances, the MOU does not specify whether older student attendees must go through the same screening process.
The Bigger Picture
Planned Parenthood Keystone’s involvement in Pennsylvania schools is part of a larger national effort to implement Comprehensive Sex Education programs, which have received millions in federal funding through the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP). Despite opposition from previous administrations, Planned Parenthood has continued to push its curriculum, which includes explicit content targeting children as young as 11.
Additionally, the organization operates similar LGBTQ+ youth programs, such as The Rainbow Room in Bucks County. This program, which serves minors as young as 10, has received substantial government funding and has hosted events featuring drag performances and discussions on pediatric sex-change interventions.
What’s Next?
The revelations from Meg Brock’s report highlight the urgent need for greater oversight in school partnerships and curriculum decisions. Parents, educators, and community members must be informed and actively engaged in ensuring that school programs align with family values and promote true educational development.