The State Farm Insurance company dropped its support from a controversial LBGTQ+ book program late Monday after employees and customers voiced concern about gender identity indoctrination.
“State Farm’s support of a philanthropic program, GenderCool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries,” Victor Terry, State Farm’s chief diversity officer, wrote, “We will no longer support that program.”
“Conversations about gender and identity should happen at home with parents,” the statement continued. “We don’t support required curriculum in schools on this topic. We support organizations providing resources for parents to have these conversations.”
The decision came after a whistleblower leaked an internal email where Florida agents were asked to help donate transgender and non-binary themed books for children age five and up.
The GenderCool project would have enlisted employees to distribute the books to teachers’ community centers or libraries of their choice.
GenderCool Project identifies itself as a youth-led movement bringing positive change to the world. According to the website, GenderCool champions are replacing misinformed opinions and replacing them with positive experiences meeting transgender and non-binary youth who are thriving.
Reportedly, the project’s goal was to increase the representation of LGBTQ+ books and support in communities by having challenging and empowering conversations with those five and up.
State Farm added they would continue to explore how they can provide “tools and resources that align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
