School Board Prez Goes on Podcast That Called Same-Sex Marriage An ‘Abomination’

Peoria Unified School District Governing Board President Heather Rooks appeared this month on a far-right podcast that called same-sex marriage “an abomination against God.”

During the interview, which aired on Sept. 9, Rooks repeated unfounded claims that “groomers” and pedophiles are working across Arizona’s public schools. She also said LGBTQ+ people should be allowed to teach so long as they “keep your bedroom out of the classroom” and urged parents to elect conservative board members if they want their children safe in public schools.

The podcast, The Myth of Education, is hosted by Tiffany Benson, a fringe conservative provocateur who has gained attention in Arizona’s far-right circles known for showing up at school boards to speak out against equity programs, LGBTQ+ people, and writing opinion pieces online claiming that America was founded as a Christian nation. She also advocates for Judeo-Christian teaching in schools. 

The podcast is part of Benson’s Substack, Parents Pay Attention, which has published hate-filled opinion pieces calling queer people “unnatural,” labeled a school board member as a terrorist for supporting Free Palestine movements, and described other government officials who are LGBTQ+ as rejecting “high standards of sexual morality.”

Benson has also been interviewed by Turning Point Academy, an affiliate of Turning Point USA that promotes Christian-based, anti-LGBTQ+ education programs. At least five schools in Arizona use the curriculum.

Rooks was billed as a high-profile guest on Benson’s podcast, which has released only two episodes. The governing school board member holds similar views on religion inside school grounds, and took the district to task on claims that the district lawyer stifled her religious speech late last year. Rooks sued the school district, saying it was not letting her recite scripture before board meetings when she was first elected to the board in 2023.

After being warned by legal counsel two months into her role, she continued doing so despite comments from the board president. He said if she continued reciting scripture, she would be going against legal counsel and violating the state's Open Meetings Law and the Establishment Clause, which ensures the legal separation of church and state.

The judge dismissed her case saying she lacked standing.

The conversation largely centered on Peoria Unified’s decision to cut ties with the National Theatre Association over its diversity statement. Rooks said she tried to restore the partnership but believed the group refused to work with the district because of “discriminatory practices.”

Both Rooks and Benson equated diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to racism. Benson called DEI “Jim Crow 2.0.”

At one point, Benson asked Rooks if she “hates LGBTQ+ people.” Rooks said no, but moments later Benson described same-sex marriage as “an abomination to God” and singled out Kyle Clayton, an LGBTQ+ board member in the Washington Elementary School District, saying he should not be allowed near a school because of his identity.

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The episode also revisited Rooks’ push for a “No Grooming and Child Protection" policy at her school district, which prohibits staff from engaging in behaviors such as flirtatious communication, sexual jokes or innuendos, confiding in students about private matters, socializing with students outside of school activities, giving personal gifts, keeping secrets with students, using peer-like language, and being alone with students behind closed doors. 

Under the proposal, all staff and volunteers would be required to undergo training on recognizing grooming behaviors and reporting suspected abuse to administrators, child protection officers, and the Arizona State Board of Education. The district would be required to cooperate with law enforcement, and staff found in violation could face discipline, including suspension or termination.

Rooks argued on the podcast that banning teachers from using personal social media to communicate with students was necessary because, she said, it was an entry point to sexual misconduct in other cases.

On its face, the policy would seem reasonable. The word “grooming,” however, has been increasingly used by conservative activists with similar ideas as Rooks to disparage LGBTQ+ people. In Mesa, a lawsuit was filed after a columnist and blogger accused teacher Tami Staas of “grooming” students by displaying Pride flags and discussing pronouns. A Mesa board member who shared the articles also accusing the teacher of “grooming” was later dropped from the case.

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Conservative activists have also been quick to label any public displays of LGBTQ+ people, including Pride flags or Pride events, as “grooming.”

Rooks and Peoria Unified also recently settled a civil case with former teacher River Chunnui, who is nonbinary. The lawsuit accused Rooks of targeting Chunnui by posting disparaging comments about their pronouns and amplifying Moms for Liberty posts that suggested LGBTQ+ teachers were “grooming” children.

At the end of the podcast, Rooks reiterated her support for school choice and noted her own children attend public school. She warned parents that if they enroll their kids in public schools, they should vote for conservatives to “keep their children safe.”

When asked if LGBTQ+ people should be allowed around children, Rooks gave a tepid response:

“So as long as you can teach and you keep your bedroom out of the classroom, that is what we're looking for today.”