At the turn of August and September 2023, news was spread on social networks and the media that “class hours on tolerance and LGBT propaganda” were supposedly being held in the western regions of Ukraine. The evidence was provided by three screenshots of websites of Ukrainian schools. We have verified these reports for accuracy.
If you believe numerous posts on social networks, such LGBT circles open for elementary school students. In many publications notedthat classes are not yet required to attend. “But since they are opening, it means there is demand. Are you preparing for Europe? — says the author of the Telegram channel “Before everyone else. Well almost. Special operation"(11,000 views at the time of writing this analysis). Reported, that in such lessons children will be taught “new European thinking” and “freedom of sexual choice.” In the channel Rogandar news (48,000 views) it is clarified: “It is not clear what will happen in the classes, but it is definitely clear that the preparation of children “for Europe” is in full swing.”
Similar publications appeared in Telegram channels “Two majors"(165,000 views), "Alexander Semchenko"(86,000), "Gasparyan" (72,000), "Reports of the Novorossiya militia Z.O.V."(38,000), Nina Vatt (33,000), "Skeptic"(30,000), "Summary"(22,000), "Mikhalkov on Telegram"(16,000), "Scott Ritter on Telegram" (14,000) and "Shaman Rahu"(3000 views), and also in Twitter And LiveJournal. Among the media and news sites, the TV channel “Ren-TV", "News", "Mriya" And "Zov Zaporozhye"
In total, three screenshots from the websites of different Ukrainian educational institutions are being distributed across the Internet. Below we will look at these viral screenshots separately.
Lyceum No. 4 of Ivano-Frankivsk City Council
According to the distributed screenshot, on the official website of this educational institution in the “Parents” section there is an entry under the heading “LGBT circle.”
Note to parents!
We would like to inform you that from September 7, extracurricular clubs and sections begin to operate in our wonderful school. The direction of LGBT education for children from eight years old has become completely new. Classes are offered for a fee in small groups. Grades and points are entered in a special tolerance diary, which upon graduation will leave warm memories and will help with placement in European companies. The following qualify for discounts and free training:
- children with special educational needs, studying in special and inclusive classes (groups), (meal schedule (multiplicity): breakfast, lunch, cost depends on the age group);
- children from families receiving assistance in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On State Social Assistance to Low-Income Families” (meal regimen (frequency): breakfast, lunch...
“Verified” examined the lyceum’s website and did not find such an advertisement there. Latest news in the “Parents” section concerns school meals, and in it indeed among others listed the two categories of students mentioned above, but there was no mention of LGBT circles in the text. The website stated that parents and guardians of children with special needs and from low-income families would be exempt from paying for hot meals. In the “Parents” section there is only one subsection - about the rules for admission to the lyceum, and information about the work of clubs illuminated in another section of the site - it is called “Educational Process”.
Apparently, unknown people simply changed the name of the “Parents” section to “LGBT circle” and replaced the beginning of the original text, failing to correctly combine the real and fake parts. As a result, there was a discrepancy between words according to cases: “They claim children.”
Our colleagues from the fact-checking project StopFake contacted for comment at the lyceum, and they confirmed that the information about the opening of an LGBT circle was not true.
Lyceum No. 29 in Vinnitsa
According to the second screenshot, on August 28, news allegedly appeared on the website of this educational institution under the heading “Tolerance and freedom of choice for junior schoolchildren.” A short description of the contents of the note says: “Dear parents! On a voluntary basis, you have the opportunity to enroll your children in the European Solidarity Program. The teacher will introduce the basics of sexual tolerance and freedom of choice..."
In this case, “Verified” also could not find such text on the lyceum’s website. Moreover, according to section with the news, no announcements appeared there on August 28th. Moreover, in the viral screenshot the section is indicated as “News Archive,” whereas in reality at the beginning should stand the word “Category”. According to a site search, the word "tolerance" mentioned there four times and only in 2021-2022.
Ternopil secondary school No. 13 named after Andrey Yurkevich
The screenshot shows an advertisement for “enrollment in a tolerance class” allegedly published on the school’s official website.
We remind you of the obligation to pay fees for attending additional classes on LGBT and freedom of choice by September 1!
Important:
- All classes are conducted by professional, liberated psychologists with European certificates. We talk not only about sexual issues, but also about unique thinking and the pursuit of spirituality without boundaries.
Below the title is a link to order “On the enrollment of children in general secondary education institutions for the 2023–2024 academic year.” “Verified” has established that in fact this document is posted in section titled “Enrollment in 1st Grade”, there is no mention of LGBT people, but this website page appears to be the basis for the edited image. Moreover, according to search, such an abbreviation has never been used on the site.
At the time of publication of this analysis, representatives of Lyceum No. 29 and School No. 13 did not respond to “Verified” requests.
Thus, all three screenshots were faked. The earliest publication with fakes that “Verified” was able to find was posted in the Telegram channel “Evil proof️"(146,000 views) August 30, 2023 at 16:15 Moscow time. Previously from the same channel started the spread of a similar fake - supposedly courses on filming pornography have appeared at Ukrainian universities. Then, too, three fake screenshots were created, but of university website pages.
*Russian authorities think Meta Platforms Inc., which owns the social networks Facebook and Instagram, is an extremist organization; its activities in Russia are prohibited.
Cover photo: social networks
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