Portland Public Schools drew attention and criticism after featuring drag performer Poison Waters in their official welcome-back video for the 2026-27 school year. Released Friday on the district’s Facebook page, the video opened with Waters, whose legal name is Kevin Cook, introducing himself as an advocate, educator, and host. He addressed principals, teachers, and staff, expressing gratitude for their dedication and encouragement as the new school year commenced.

In his message, Waters emphasized the importance of unity and purpose in education, stating, “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.” The video aimed to set a positive tone as district employees returned to their roles across Portland schools.

However, the district’s choice of speaker has sparked controversy. Corey DeAngelis, an education research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and advocate for school choice, criticized the decision in a statement issued Monday. DeAngelis accused the school system of promoting gender ideology, asserting that the video was an example of the district overstepping its role. “The government school system is trying to groom young impressionable minds into gender ideology,” he said, adding that the school system “needs to stay in its lane.”

Portland Public Schools and Poison Waters did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment regarding the backlash or the intentions behind featuring a drag performer in the back-to-school message. The episode highlights ongoing debates over the presence of LGBTQ+ themes and figures in public education settings.