After intense public backlash, the state farm insurance ended its partnership with an organization that distributes lgbtq+ books to schools, libraries, and community centers. While backing away from an official partnership with Project GenderCool, State Farm has pledged to continue supporting similar LGBTQ+ groups and initiatives.
State Farm’s actions, which were widely interpreted as an attempt to cross the fence on a controversial issue, sparked outrage on both sides of the debate.
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“We will continue to explore how we can support our associates, as well as organizations that align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the LGBTQ+ community,” said State Farm Chief Diversity Officer Victor Terry in a public statement.
the gendercool project is a self-proclaimed “youth-led movement” that seeks to provide education about transgender and non-binary youth.
one of the core principles of the gendercool project is to “write books to help adults and the children in their lives understand that transgender and non-binary youth are just like all other children.”
the gendercool project has notable partners including nike, hp, dell, intel, and the allstate foundation.
state farm got into trouble after the nonprofit consumer research received an email asking state farm for its agents to help provide project gendercool books to teachers, libraries, and community centers.
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“state farm is partnering with the gendercool project to help diversify classroom, community center and library shelves with a collection of books to help bring clarity and understanding to the national conversation about being transgender, inclusive and non-binary”, leaked email read.
“The goal of the project is to increase the representation of lgbtq+ books and help our communities have challenging, important and enriching conversations with children 5 years and older. Agents are key to the success of this program. Nationwide, approximately 550 state farm agents and employees will have the opportunity to donate this 3-book bundle to their local teacher, community center, or library of their choice.”
The email concluded by asking participating state farm agents to share the company’s commitment to diversity on their private social media pages.
The three-book book bundle referenced in the email is offered by the gendercool project and is specifically intended for ages five and up. the books provide stories of transgender or non-binary children telling their stories through childhood with their particular gender identity.
Following the email, consumer research launched an ad campaign titled, Like a Creepy Neighbor, highlighting gendercool and its association with state farm.
since the advertising campaign, state farm decided to break ties with the gendercool project, publishing a statement explaining their reasons.
“state farm’s support of a philanthropic program, gendercool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries,” the statement read. “This program that included books on gender identity was intended to promote inclusion. we support organizations that provide resources for parents to have conversations about gender and identity with their children at home.
“We do not support the required curriculum in schools on this topic. As a result, we have made the decision that we will no longer be affiliated with the organization. We will continue to explore how we can support our associates as well as organizations that align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize and value the diversity of all people and support a culture of respect and inclusion in the communities in which we live and work, as well as in our workplace.”
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The gendercool project website makes no mention of the book initiative referenced in the leaked email, possibly indicating it was an original state farm formulation of their staff. the gendercool project does not require or advocate that its reading lists be required reading for any school system, leading some to wonder why state farm made that the reason for their withdrawal of support.
The gendercool program subsequently released a statement on the state farm decision.
“other than state farm, no other partners have terminated their relationship with us this year,” the statement says. “We are grateful to all of our current partners who have contacted us to reaffirm their commitment as they continue to work alongside us. We are grateful to continue to welcome new members and have received an unprecedented number of donations in the last week.
“We celebrate the collection of gendercool books written by young transgender and non-binary people who lead our organization. These are their own stories. we know these books have become powerful conversation starters since their initial publication in 2021.
“the books are not intended to be part of any curriculum, and gendercool does not have a school book distribution program.”
“We know that powerful change occurs when we choose connection and awareness over fear and division. there are hundreds of thousands of transgender and non-binary youth in this country, and they are thriving. we just want to help people get to know them. we know that when this happens, opinions evolve. that is something powerful and beautiful.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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- lgbtq agenda
- lgbt
- state farm
- gender cool project