A GOP school board member tried to ban a student's art for being 'offensive' to Christians

A conservative school board member in Virginia singled out a queer student over the weekend by calling an emergency meeting to determine whether or not their piece of artwork should be allowed in the school's spring show.

Abby Driscoll’s piece about religious trauma, “But Not Enough to Save You,” was made for the Fort Defiance High School’s spring show, which explicitly had the theme of “trauma.” It depicts praying hands gripping a rosary surrounded by rainbow pages of the Bible, alongside the powerful statement: “GOD LOVES YOU BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU.”

“This piece is representative of the idea that growing up queer meant you couldn’t be saved by God,” its description reads. “I grew up in a religious background and that influenced this project. The idea of the glowing red cross is to represent evil in the eyes of God and the bleeding rainbow represents devotion vs identity.”

Augusta County School Board member Tim Simmons took to Facebook to say that the heartfelt piece was "seen as offensive to some, including myself" and that the board would discuss it in a special closed session Saturday night. He said that the board "is working with our legal counsel and I am currently reviewing the Supreme Court rulings relevant to this situation."

Trending stories

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

​6 lesbian films coming we can't wait to see in 2025

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

For us, by us: 15 great trans movies made by trans filmmakers

In 'Survival of the Thickest,' queer joy and activism are one and the same

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

Watch Kelly Clarkson celebrate Trans Day of Visibility on her show

Trans Day of Visibility meets MAGA? See this 'Drag Race' star's fierce stunt

Country star Tanner Adell comes out as pansexual

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

Bob the Drag Queen shades Mistress Isabelle Brooks’ weight loss: 'Girl, you have to get new pads'

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

Elton John broke down crying while writing new song 'about my death'

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

JD Vance ruthlessly mocked after everyone in Greenland refused to welcome wife Usha Vance

Watch: In gay period romance 'Lilies Not For Me,' playful wrestling turns sensual (exclusive)

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

Driscoll’s family told local outlet News Leader Sunday that they were not told about the meeting beforehand, and that she only found out about the decision to let her art stay through social media like everyone else.

While all the details of the closed-door meeting have not been revealed, Driscoll's principal reportedly stood up for her, and Simmons' push ultimately failed. The conservative still took to Facebook afterwards to share that the board "agreed to work on a policy that will address issues like this going forward."

"For now, the art work in question will be removed by the time students arrive back at school on Monday as the art show ends on Sunday," he wrote.

Simmons was ruthlessly mocked by his constituents under both of his posts, with several people slamming his infringements on Driscoll's right to free speech and expression.

"Imagine believing you have the right to go through life without seeing anything that might offend you. Imagine trampling over the rights of others just to make sure there’s no possibility you might be offended," one person wrote.

"wow...who are the snowflakes again?" added another.

One commenter, who said they are a member of their local school board, wrote: "From one school board member to another, this is embarrassing for you, and sad for the students on your district. To suggest that the offense others have taken to this piece of art trumps the very real pain that *your student* — whom you should be representing and caring for — is attempting to convey is ludicrous. Please do better."