LGBTQ+ stickers removed from two Beaufort County schools: what’s happening and why?
The Beaufort County School District directed faculty at two high schools to remove certain LGBTQ+-related items after three parents claimed they violated federal and state policy eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in classrooms.
District officials informed staff at Hilton Head Island High School and May River High School last week that failure to remove the items — a sticker which depicted a school mascot with rainbow colors and a magnet of a Pride flag — could impact federal funding, district spokesperson Candace Bruder wrote in an email. This may include Title IV funding and free or reduced lunch programs.
The directive follows an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which moved to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and stop funding for DEI and gender-related initiatives. It also comes during a time when state legislators are considering a bill that would prohibit DEI policies in public institutions, including schools. If enacted, the measure could impact contracts with vendors like Scholastic for book fairs, US Foods for school meals and PowerSchool, which provides “real-time access for parents to their child’s grades, attendance and assignments.”
Before instructing the schools to remove the LGBTQ+ materials, the district consulted legal counsel, Bruder wrote. At Hilton Head High School, staff were asked to take down stickers displaying a rainbow-colored seahawk mascot, while at May River High School, a teacher was asked to remove a Pride flag magnet from their classroom.
There were also reports that “Safe Space” business cards — intended to foster a safe environment for students, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+ — had been targeted for removal. These small cards, often displayed outside classrooms or by school social workers, featured a rainbow and the message, “...welcoming safe space for everyone.”
Bruder was unaware of any recent directive regarding these cards. The cards were distributed by the district years ago before Superintendent Frank Rodriguez’s tenure, she added.
At least one parent told the district that they submitted a complaint through the newly launched EndDEI.Ed.Gov portal, created by the U.S. Department of Education to collect reports of alleged discrimination based on race or sex in publicly funded K-12 schools, Bruder wrote. The portal allows individuals to submit details of concerning practices, which the department may use to guide investigations.
The other two parents sent emails to the school district voicing their concerns.
This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM.
