After Project Veritas claims sex toys were shown in class discussion, a private school defends its dean.

A Chicago elite private school is facing online backlash after a dean was recorded by a right-wing activist group discussing the school’s sex-ed programming.

The Francis Parker School in Lincoln Park is the latest target of the far-right activist group “Project Veritas.”

One of the group’s members recorded a video in which the school dean appears to say that sex toys were shown to students as part of a discussion.

Parker’s board of trustees, according to a statement, supports the inclusivity of its curriculum.

The dean was “filmed without his knowledge or permission while describing one example of our inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming a comprehensive approach to sex education,” according to a school spokesperson. Veritas manipulated the video with malicious intent.”

The school’s full statement reads:

Francis W. Parker cares deeply about the health, well-being, and development of our students. Programs designed to help cultivate physical and emotional well-being as well as a strong sense of belonging are central to our mission.
Last week – at an industry conference – one of our employees was targeted by a member of Project Veritas and misled to believe he was conversing with another conference attendee over a coffee. He was filmed without his knowledge or permission while describing one example of our inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming, and comprehensive approach to sex education. Veritas deceptively edited the video with malicious intent. 
Parker administrators and Parker’s Board of Trustees support Parker’s programming, the strength and inclusivity of our curriculum, and the dedicated and talented faculty and staff that teach it.