Des Moines Public Schools teacher targeted after joking of forcing students 'to be gay'

Des Moines Public Schools has increased security after a teacher's joke last week about forcing students "to be gay" went viral on social media, prompting a barrage of complaints and threats.

The post featured a district employee posing in front of what appears to be a large mirror in a classroom with the caption "Every day is another opportunity to force kids in public schools to be gay."

"Because of harassment and even threats triggered because of an employee’s social media post, we have had to increase our public safety presence at a school and notify law enforcement," said Phil Roeder, the district's spokesperson.

Officials have not named the school.

The threats came after social media accounts for Libs for TikTok — run by far-right influencer Chaya Raichik — posted screenshots Friday from the staff member's social media post with the caption, "This is an actual elementary school teacher in @DMschools."

Several commenters called for the staff member to be fired.

Related: When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow

Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts released a statement Friday addressing the unnamed staff member's post and ensuing controversy.

"This was a poor attempt at humor and sarcasm," Roberts wrote. "And as we know, attempts at humor and sarcasm, especially online, can be easily misunderstood. The employee was wrong to make this post, has realized it was a mistake and has removed it."

The district's personnel office has been tasked with working with the employee, he said.

"This shouldn't need to be said, but perhaps it must: Our schools and teachers are focused on providing a quality education to our students, which does not include encouraging or forcing any student to identify with any specific sexual orientation," Roberts said.

The Des Moines Education Association declined to comment on the situation because it is a personnel matter, instead referring the Des Moines Register to Roberts' statement.

District officials said they are taking the ongoing harassment generated by the Libs of TikTok post seriously.

"From staffing to technology to training, DMPS invests a great deal of resources to assure the safety and well-being of our students and staff," Roeder said. "In this situation we are not taking anything for granted in light of the well-documented disruption this anti-LGBTQ group has triggered elsewhere around the country."

Related: In 3 years, 60 books have been challenged in Iowa schools. A new law could ban far more.

Last school year, the Des Moines School Board approved doubling school security spending, setting aside $13 million as part of its $610 million budget.

This is not the first time Libs of TikTok has brought widespread scrutiny down on an Iowa school district.

Last year, a post lead to the removal of a controversial book from Sioux City Community School District. In 2022, the social media account released pictures and videos from an unauthorized drag show at Ankeny High School. School officials, students and the performers faced harassment following the incident.

Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter.

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts' statement

One of our school employees made a social media post with a photo and a caption that read "Every day is another opportunity to force kids in public schools to be gay." This was a poor attempt at humor and sarcasm. And as we know, attempts at humor and sarcasm, especially online, can be easily misunderstood. The employee was wrong to make this post, has realized it was a mistake, and has removed it. The district's personnel office will address the matter with them.

I want to be very clear: Des Moines Public Schools is an open and accepting place for our students, staff and families. We are proud to be the most diverse school community in Iowa, welcoming everyone regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

Unfortunately, an online anti-LGBTQ group has taken the employee's post and shared it widely on social media. This has created countless and unnecessary disruptions, including harassment and even threats, towards this employee and others within the district. This shouldn't need to be said but perhaps it must: our schools and teachers are focused on providing a quality education to our students, which does not include encouraging or forcing any student to identify with any specific sexual orientation.

In solidarity,Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines schools' staff member targeted after Libs of TikTok post