PRIEST RIVER — The new Human Rights Club at Priest River Lamanna High School fell under scrutiny by community members as the club’s focus outlined for December is on “Men and LGBTQA.”

Several community members took their concerns to West Bonner County School District officials during the Nov. 21 meeting.

“There doesn’t seem to be much transparency about it,” community member Michelle Rohrer said of the club, adding that it “seems to be agendized.”

Glenn Rohrer said in looking at the Secretary of State website for educational requirements on the subject, he could find nothing regarding the teaching of LGBTQA in the schools.

“It specifically says in here that sexual activity that they do talk about, the information should be factual, medically accurate and objective,” he said. “I don’t know how you are going to do that. That is a very subjective subject and I highly recommend you leave it to the professionals ... This is on campus, a paid teacher under your control, so your school is responsible for this subject matter.”

WBCSD trustees approved the club during the September meeting after an introduction by PRLHS science teacher and STEaM Club advisor Shannon Wilson.

The mission of the club, Wilson said, is to “inspire, educate and develop a program that reflects the culture of respect within our community as we learn about others.

“We hope to spread knowledge about different cultures regardless of different ethnicities,” Wilson continued as she read the mission statement. “Our foundation will emphasize the importance of values of being a good human being that is respectful to all, in order to progress society peacefully ... The club will be a voice to many who find themselves alone, and for all to see that we are all united.”

Each monthly meeting is focused on different cultures or races, Wilson said, focusing on origin and stories of where people come from.

“And how, no matter what your background is, you are able to do great things, and that is something the kids really connect with, regardless of race,” Wilson said.

Many of the topics are specific to race, such as Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin, as well as Middle Eastern and European. Topics also include “Men and LGBTQA,” as well as people with disabilities and women.

A total of five community members expressed concerns during last week’s meeting, including Maureen Paterson, who said she researched transgender, and citing a professional from John Hopkins Hospital, Paterson said medical officials warn of the “grave medical and psychological consequences.”

“I just wanted to say that parent permission of such a controversial topic should be required and that there could be possible liability for the school district,” Paterson said.

Sherie Clipson cited sentences from the club’s mission statement, as well as the definitions of ethnic and culture.

“This topic is a lifestyle choice, it is not ethnic or cultural,” she said. “By including this topic, this proposed club is promoting a behavior which is medically dangerous and not reflective of the culture within this community.”

Another community member posed the final public comment of the night, focusing on “human rights as the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Human rights, he said, are those outlined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

“Those are the human rights afforded to us by our country and by God,” he said.

Because the statements were made during the public comment period of the meeting and it was not an agenda item, no action was taken and board members did not comment.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.