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LGBTQ-themed flash cards removed from Wake classroom

The Wake County Public School System is responding after questions were raised about LGBTQ-themed flash cards found in a classroom.

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FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System is responding after questions were raised about LGBTQ-themed flash cards found in a classroom.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, posted photos of the cards on his website Friday, saying a constituent emailed Rep. Erin Paré, R-Wake, the images. The constituent was concerned the flashcards showed what they believed to be a pregnant man.

The cards were being used to teach children about the colors of the rainbow in a preschool classroom at Ballentine Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina according to the principal, who verified the information with a teacher.

LGBTQ-themed flash cards removed from Wake County classroom

WRAL News found the cards, called Progress Pride Flag Rainbow Families, online. The description reads, "These gorgeous custom-designed illustrations celebrate LGBT2SQ+ Families of diverse races, ages, sexualities, genders, and abilities."

A spokesperson from Wake County released the statement, "An initial review determined that flash cards were not tied to the district’s Pre-K curriculum, did not complement, enrich, or extend the curriculum and were used without the principal's review, knowledge, and/or approval."

According to the district, the cards were removed from the school.

This comes as North Carolina Senate lawmakers held their first hearing Wednesday on what some are calling the state's version of a Florida law that critics referred to as "Don't Say Gay" legislation.

North Carolina House Bill 755 would ban any mention of sexual orientation or gender identity from the curriculum in kindergarten through third grade.

Under the bill, schools would have to notify parents if a student asks to use a different name or different pronouns to describe themselves. They would also have to let parents know if a student is seeing an in-school counselor, or if there's any change in a student's mental, physical or emotional well being.

Teachers and schools could face lawsuits for violating the bill.

Moore said he supports some of bill's general ideas and said parents have a right to know what’s happening with their children. He also said any discussion of sexuality needs to be age-appropriate, and it doesn’t seem appropriate for children in kindergarten through third grade.

WRAL State Government Reporter Travis Fain contributed to this article.

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