Request for Action: Addressing Concerns Surrounding The Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ’ Landing Spot’s mission effort
Dear Members of the Placer County Republican Central Committee,
I hope this message finds you well.
As representatives of the Republican Party in Placer County, your voice carries significant weight. I believe that your involvement in any matter can help ensure that the best interests of our children and community are upheld. You have done great work with local school districts- dating as far back as Mr. Wright’s request that Rick Miller resign from the Rocklin Unfried School Board- and the city is thankful for your efforts.
The issue at hand revolves around The Landing Spot mission program. Initiated by the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, the Landing Spot has gained notoriety due to its annual youth drag show fundraiser. While the media has provided some coverage of this event, there are key facts that have not received the attention they deserve.
The Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, the Landing Spot efforts have contributed to the parents concerns that local school districts are working to resolve. Basically, the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ / the Landing Spot’s ability to talk with boys to get them to ‘dance on stage for money’ created some of the fear that parents are communicating to local school boards-as we feel parents need to know what teachers are telling students.
It is imperative that our elected officials are made aware of these facts and their potential implications to kids in our community.
Due to the slanted tv news and paper coverage – most of the community does not know that:
- The Landing Spot, despite media reports to the contrary, is indeed a program affiliated with the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ.
- The youth drag show organized by The Landing Spot is an innovation on the idea of the drag show. Their “youth drag show” recruits high school boys to dance burlesque style on a stage to collect tips from an audience. The event is a fund raiser and the boys (dancers) use the funds to pay to attend the church’s summer camp, Camp Fruit Loop.
- The boys attend to camp to learn more about their sexual identity.
- Students were recruited for this event, either as performers or in supporting roles, through relationships established by The Landing Spot within high school wellness centers across 10 local high schools. (School district and names listed below)
- While two of the school districts have paused their relationships with the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, the Landing Spot, one is moving to restart the relationship.
- The registration form used for student participation in the youth drag show did not require parental consent or parental notification.
Wake up Placer (a local blog?) collected what could be found about the ‘youth drag show fundraiser’ and a review of the data this group collected can be found here and https://wakeupplacer.com/kids/h-s-boys-who-dance-on-stage-dont-dance-to-the-sound-of-freedom/
Despite the media’s focus on alarming statistics, such as LGBTQ+ youth contemplating suicide at a higher rate, Placer County has recorded no LGBTQ+ youth suicides in the past three years since state reporting began.
However, our community has experienced an average of 400 missing children each year in Placer County, with roughly 10% of cases classified as “missing.”
Considering these facts, I kindly request that the Placer County Republican Central Committee draft a letter to be sent to all local Republican elected officials.
I offer that I think the letter should:
(a) Inquire whether they are aware of the attached facts regarding The Landing Spot’s youth drag show.
(a) Seek clarification if they believe any of these facts to be incorrect or inaccurate.
If the facts are acknowledged as accurate, request that Republican elected officials formally advocate for a two-year moratorium on any partnerships or collaborations between schools, cities, or public entities and the Loomis Basin Congregational United Church of Christ, The Landing Spot, or any associated individuals.
I would also ask that any candidate seeking an endorsement from the Placer GOP get asked similar questions.
The concerns raised by our community regarding the youth drag show are valid and must not be dismissed lightly. Any event involving high school boys performing sexually suggestive acts for a public audience, let alone one that provides financial incentives for boys to dance, raises ethical questions that deserve thorough consideration.
Your role and commitment to take appropriate action as representatives of the Placer County Republican Party can help ensure that our children are not sexually objectified.
I thank you for your time and consideration of this matter.
If you require any additional data, documents, or information related to this issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Your involvement in addressing these concerns is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kevin Cooper, Rocklin Dad
Schools where boys were recruited to perform on stage for ‘tips’:
- West Park High
- Lincoln High
- Roseville High
- Del Oro, Placer High
- Oakmont High
- Adelante High
- Phoenix High School
- Granite Bay High
- Woodcreek
