Loudoun County Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence defended his school board’s recent LGBTQ+ History Month proclamation, after Republican Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, called the board’s decision “despicable” on social media and suggested the school system influences students’ sexual identities.

Spence joined the division in 2023 and has led the state’s third-largest school division through a series of federal investigations and disputes over transgender students’ access to school facilities, parental concerns and administrators’ handling of complaints.

Griffin said in an Oct. 6 Instagram post that he “hates” to see the board’s decision to acknowledge LGBTQ+ history, calling it “despicable, disgusting,” and telling the board to “leave children alone.” 

Griffin said the proclamation followed Loudoun schools’ attempt to “get as many kids into their ‘transing’ program” as possible during Pride Month in June.

In a recently published three-page letter to Griffin entitled “Enough is Enough,” Spence upheld the board’s decision, affirmed LGBTQ+ Americans’ place in history and condemned unsubstantiated accusations against public schools and educators.

“We cannot build trust by manufacturing fear, and we cannot model civility for children while treating entire communities of Americans with contempt,” Spence wrote, challenging Griffin’s rhetoric and stressing respectful public discourse.

The school division said it mailed the letter to Griffin’s office and sent another copy by email on Monday.

In reply to a request for comment, Griffin said in an emailed statement: “Taxpayers should never fund the extreme and despicable sexualization of students in schools. Ever.”

Griffin represents the 53rd District, which excludes Loudoun County and is over 150 miles away.

Beginning in 1994 with Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, the U.S. began celebrating contributors to gay and lesbian history during October, highlighted by Coming Out Day, first celebrated on Oct. 11, 1988. 

Pride Month, observed in June, celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, recognizes its contributions and highlights ongoing efforts toward equality. LGBTQ+ History Month, observed in October, focuses on learning about and honoring the community’s history, achievements, and the stories of the people who shaped it.

Since then, several organizations have endorsed the celebration, including GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Education Association.

Spence is no stranger to defending the school division on the national stage. Four months ago, he supported Loudoun school before a U.S. House Committee, as Republican lawmakers grilled him about how the district manages sensitive educational content, student safety and the extent of parental control in classrooms. 

Spence’s letter criticized Griffin for describing the recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month as “despicable” and “disgusting” and for making unsupported claims about schools influencing children’s sexuality.

He also said inclusive history education is important, emphasized that public schools must ensure all students feel safe, respected, and valued, and urged elected officials to engage in respectful, evidence-based discussion rather than spreading fear and misinformation.

Spence emphasized supporting students’ identities, dignity, and well-being, as well as teaching an inclusive and accurate account of American history.

“Our children deserve better than this,” Spence wrote. “Our educators deserve better than this. And frankly, our democracy deserves better than this.”