08/18/2026
A couple of weeks ago, a 4th grade teacher in a Dorchester 4 school told their students that they were transitioning and to now call them Mr. 19 parents of the 26 kids in the class requested that they be moved to another classroom. The school said that they didn't have room in other classes. The parents interviewed on the video are clearly very afraid of something that they don't understand.
Below is a news report from Aug. 7:
https://abcnews4.com/news/local/dd4-parents-question-district-response-to-transitioning-teacher-news-teacher-student-school-trending-story-family-community-charleston-south-carolina
Tonight there is a school board meeting and the SC PFLAG Rapid Response Team put out the following statements that have been cosigned by all the PFLAG Chapters in SC including PFLAG Aiken.
PFLAG Charleston
4:46 PM (24 minutes ago)
to phughes, tfolk, jhodges, vinfinger, einfinger, Susan, me, PFLAG, pflagpickens, pflagspartanburg, PFLAG
Dear Board members,
Recently in Dorchester School District Four, several families raised concerns after learning that a fourth-grade teacher is transitioning. Some families have asked the district for the option to move their children to another classroom. District leaders have not yet made a public statement, and families plan to raise their concerns at the school board meeting on August 18.
Our PFLAG Charleston community understands that change can bring up questions, and that parents care deeply about their kids. We believe this moment is an opportunity, not a crisis: kids learn how to treat others by watching the adults around them. You don't have to fully understand someone's identity to teach your child to use the name they're asked to use, or to treat a teacher with basic courtesy. That's not a lesson about gender — it's a lesson about respect, and it's one every child benefits from learning early.
We also want to be clear: a teacher's identity does not change their qualifications, their care for their students, or their right to do their job without harassment. Transgender people are teachers, nurses, neighbors, and parents. They contribute to our community everyday. We encourage DD4 families, staff, and leadership to move through this moment with curiosity and kindness rather than fear. Love and acceptance will always win.
Sincerely,
PFLAG Charleston SC
co-signers:
PFLAG Aiken
PFLAG Anderson
PFLAG Greenville
PFLAG Pawley's Island
PFLAG Pickens
PFLAG Spartanburg
PFLAG Rock Hill
PFLAG National
Nineteen families with children enrolled at a Dorchester School District Four elementary school gathered Friday to share concerns they say they have after learn
