Gonzalez Ties to Right Wing Groups
“I am grateful to parents and community leaders in Portland for speaking up about the clear ties my opponent Mr. Rene Gonzalez has with right-wing groups in Oregon. I agree that it is shameful that he has sacrificed the safety and well-being of our children for his political agenda. Conservative groups that pushed for “don’t say gay” legislation, anti-abortion measures, and denying kids knowledge about race and culture in schools, do not represent Portland’s values.” - Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.
Parents called attention to Rene Gonzalez’s acknowledgment last week on OPB Think Out Loud that he sacrificed transgender and LGBQ+ kids, Black and Indigenous kids, and other kids of color to support his ED300 agenda. Rene Gonzalez founded ED300, and the organization created a PAC to endorse school board members in 2021.
Research conducted by two Portland Public School parents showed Gonzalez and his group pushed to elect school board members, also supported by groups who are anti-LGBTQ, against teaching an accurate history of race in classrooms and comprehensive sex education.
Seventeen of the 28 candidates ED 300 endorsed were also endorsed by right-wing organizations, which require people running for office to meet criteria outlined by these conservative groups to earn their support.
Parent’s Rights in Education: Oregon affiliate advocated against LGBTQ students in Newberg and challenges the inclusion of affirming transgender identities in school districts across the state. Florida affiliate pushed for “don’t say gay” legislation to prohibit the word and related topics in schools. Oppose the Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education curriculum in Oregon schools, calling the approach "an 'indoctrination' that undermines traditional family life."
Oregon Family Council: Opposed marriage equality for all loving and committed couples in Oregon.
Oregon Right to Life: Opposed to comprehensive, medically accurate sex education and abortion.
Parents expressed deep concern stating that Gonzalez acknowledged that he failed to fight for their kids and has continued to double down on his decision to push for school board candidates who threaten the safety and wellbeing of students, especially LGBTQ+ kids and kids of color.
Rashelle Chase Miller, an early childhood educator and founder of PDX Mxm Bloc:
“In all my years working in early childhood education, I've seen kids perform best when they have a safe space where they can bring their full identities to school and be respected and validated for who they are. The seventeen school board candidates Rene supported would hurt kids, period.”
Se-ah-dom Edmo, Shoshone-Bannock, Nez Perce, and Yakama said:
“This is about Rene Gonzalez’s lack of judgment and his willingness to trade our children’s future for his personal political agenda and aspirations. His actions show us all that he will not fight for every child and every family.”
Jeana Frazzini, former executive director of Basic Rights Oregon said:
“Rene Gonzalez demonstrated complete disregard for our kids and their safety just to push his own political agenda. And for that, he will never get a pass. This is a bottom line issue for me as a parent and LGBTQ advocate.”
Marcus Mundy, executive director for Building Power for Communities of Color said:
“We need to create a world where all our kids are valued and respected, but when given the chance Rene Gonzalez did not fight for our kids. Instead, he chose his own narrow agenda over LGBTQ kids, kids of color, kids who deserve to know about our history of race in this country.”
