Portland Public Schools puts drag performer front and center in ‘radical joy’ welcome video

Portland Public Schools (PPS) opened an official Facebook welcome-back video for teachers, principals and staff Friday with drag performer Poison Waters, who thanked district employees as the 2026-27 school year began.

Waters, whose legal name is Kevin Cook, appeared first and was identified onscreen as an advocate, educator and host.

Waters thanked district employees for their work with students.

"I’m here to wish you all a successful 2026, 2027 school year and to thank all the amazing principals, teachers, and staff for your dedication to your students and their learning," Waters said.

"While we can often get caught up in the hustle and bustle, it’s so important to remember that together we rise with excellence and purpose." WATCH: FATHER OF THREE OUTRAGED OVER ADVICE HIS FAMILY RECEIVED AMID TRANS TEACHER FIGHT Heritage Foundation education research fellow Corey DeAngelis , a school choice advocate, criticized the district’s decision in a statement to Fox News Digital Monday and accused PPS of promoting gender ideology.

"Portland Public Schools’ back-to-school video is beyond parody," DeAngelis said.

"The government school system is trying to groom young impressionable minds into gender ideology.

They want to brainwash other people’s kids and replace their families.

The school system has overstepped their boundaries and needs to stay in its lane.

The public school system is rubbing it in that they have control over children whether the parents like it or not.

Kids don’t belong to the government.

Parents are responsible for passing down values to their children, not government schools." "The video posted on the school district’s official Facebook account is free advertising for school choice and homeschooling," he continued.

"Families need the power to take their children’s education funding to the schools that align with their values rather than subvert them." TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TOUTS ‘HARD RESET’ FOR AMERICAN SCHOOLS, VOWS TO PUT PARENTS ‘BACK IN CHARGE’ Sonja Shaw, a candidate for California superintendent of public instruction, claimed the decision to feature Waters was an intentional ideological choice.

"That wasn’t an accident.