A Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) psychology teacher instructed high schoolers on controversial, challenged, and, in some cases, debunked claims concerning sexual orientation. According to records obtained by AZ Free News, SUSD didn’t give the teacher permission for what she taught.
Much of what SUSD Advanced Placement (AP) psychology teacher Mackenzie Onofry taught on the subject to the Desert Mountain High School students came from Alfred Kinsey: the late Indiana University sexologist credited as the “Father of the Sexual Revolution” whose research included adults sexually violating infants and children to prove the inherent sexual nature of mankind, even in minors. Kinsey is revered in many LGBTQ+ circles, and IU established an institute in his honor.
The following includes what Onofry taught the students, according to slideshows obtained by AZ Free News: only 4 percent of men and 2 percent of women are exclusively heterosexual, sexuality is a continuum, homosexuality spans human history and is a natural part of the animal world, sexual orientation isn’t a choice and is immutable, conversion therapy doesn’t work, women have more erotic plasticity (sexual interests) than men, that homosexuality is a gene location on the X chromosome, fetal testosterone exposure causes attraction to women, and male homosexuality increases by one-third with each son born.
Dr. Miriam Grossman, the psychiatrist interviewed at length in The Daily Wire documentary “What Is a Woman,” interviewed with AZ Free News about this incident. Grossman affirmed the fact that Kinsey’s research was fraudulent and even criminal. She said Onofry’s teachings were “shameful,” especially considering that the SUSD teacher didn’t tell the full story of Kinsey.
“There’s no question here that this teacher is coming into the classroom with her own agenda of influencing the students and imposing her value system and ideas on these students. I think parents should be outraged that this is happening right under their noses,” said Grossman.
Grossman explained further that Kinsey attempted to normalize deviant sexual behaviors through his “Kinsey Scale,” which declared that human sexuality exists on a continuum but was based on research interviews that included sex crime felons and prostitutes.
“Kinsey was a social reformer. He wanted to rid society of Judeo-Christian values. He wanted an any-age, anything-goes type of sexual behaviors between people. We know that he lived that kind of lifestyle and he wanted to promote that kind of lifestyle in society,” explained Grossman. “He came up with his scale through research that was done in prisons with felons that had people who had committed sexual crimes and research with prostitutes. He took their responses to his questions about sexual behavior and he applied that to middle America. He implied that the deviant behaviors of the group that he was studying, and in which he fit by the way, applied to everybody.”
Grossman suggested that parents read the works of Dr. Judith Reisman, a researcher who dedicated her life to challenging Kinsey’s work and legacy, systematically exposing fraud in Kinsey’s work. Reisman reiterated that Onofry had a duty to teach the whole truth about Kinsey, if she were to mention him at all.
“If Kinsey should be mentioned at all in a psychology class to high schoolers, and I highly question whether that should be mentioned at all, it should only be mentioned how fraudulent his research was,” said Grossman. “What parents and schools need to be asking here is, what is motivating this teacher? Psychology is a huge field with many different areas and important things that teenagers would benefit from knowing. Clearly she’s picking and choosing these areas. I’m wondering how this is more important than other areas.”
Onofry also taught AP psychology at the Flagstaff BASIS, a prestigious charter school chain. While a graduate student, Northern Arizona University (NAU) named Onofry their Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year.
Onofry’s sister, Samantha Onofry, is legal counsel to Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT).
Onofry’s curriculum was only available to the public through an open records request. Access to curriculum online through SUSD requires a parental or student login.
The issue of transparent school curriculums was nearly solved this year.
The state legislature came close to requiring all K-12 schools to make their curriculum accessible to the public online — until one Republican voted with Democrats to kill the legislation. Following the initial report of the SUSD sexuality curriculum from the Arizona Daily Independent, State Senator Nancy Barto (R-Phoenix) lamented the one Republican’s vote against transparency.
Though Barto didn’t mention the representative by name, she was referring to her colleague Joel John (R-Buckeye). John has sided with Democrats on other critical bills advanced by his fellow Republicans, such as HB2656.
“The radical push continues. AZ parents won’t know if CRT and sexual grooming is even happening in their schools [without] transparency aka SB1211 which failed this year because one Republican voted with every single Dem,” tweeted Barto.
The radical push continues. AZ parents won't know if CRT and sexual grooming is even happening in their schools w/o transparency aka SB 1211 which failed this year because one Republican voted with every single Dem. Vote in the primary! @AZSenateGOP@AZHouseGOPhttps://t.co/JUaBQx9vjs
Barto’s bill, SB1211, would’ve required schools to offer curriculum online in a searchable manner, organized by subject, grade, and teacher. Any education materials concerning nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, bias, action-oriented civics, service learning, or social and emotional competencies were to be published online within 72 hours of their implementation. All other materials were required to be published within the week of their implementation. All materials would remain accessible on the school’s website for at least two years.
In explanation of his “no” vote in April, John argued that the bill was too burdensome for teachers. He said that, as a former teacher, the curriculum posting would burden an already “low-paying, thankless job.”
“I think this bill frankly goes too far and puts too many extra burdens [on teachers], as some of our colleagues have already pointed out,” stated John.
In his argument, John echoed a talking point among Democrats: that SB1211 was an “unfunded mandate” by the state.
Barto issued her condemnation in response to the testimony of Rhode Island parent Nicole Solas, who was sued by the nation’s largest teachers union for filing public records requests.
In the committee hearings preceding SB1211’s failure in April, Democrats stated that parents dissatisfied with their school’s transparency should just transfer. They made the argument as part of an indirect insult to the state’s school choice system.
Teachers on the popular podcast, “Teachers Off Duty,” argued that it was “against best practice” to require them to publish their curriculum in advance of the school year. One of the teachers, Bri Richardson, said that she couldn’t adhere to such a requirement because she didn’t know what she’d be teaching. The other three podcaster-teachers concurred with her.
“Is that a joke? Bro, I don’t know what I’m teaching,” said Richardson.
SB1211 earned the approval of Governor Doug Ducey’s office, who celebrated the bill’s progression out of the Senate in March.
ON TO THE HOUSE: #SB1211 passed the Senate today, which would require curriculum and academic materials be put online for parents and families to know what’s being taught in their children’s school.
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt pledged to pay for the funeral of a fan’s grandfather after the woman advertised the sale of her Watt memorabilia.
The woman, Houston native and longtime Watt fan Jennifer Simpson, tweeted that she was selling her Watt edition Reebok shoes and a Watt Houston Texans jersey in order to pay for her grandfather’s funeral.
I have a pair of @JJWatt womens edition of Reebok shoes size 9 $60. I’ve worn them twice. They are great shoes, im only selling because we are raising money for my grandpas funeral. I also have a Watt womens XL Texans Jersey $30. Anyone interested? pic.twitter.com/USt90n221H
According to other social media posts, Simpson and her family have spent over a month trying to raise the funds for a funeral and burial. Prior to Watt’s boost, the family pulled together what they could through bake, plate, and garage sales, as well as a GoFundMe and Facebook fundraiser.
Simpson expressed thanks for Watt’s kindness.
“I freaking love you man. It’s been a hard year for me, and this last month has been hard since the death,” wrote Simpson. “I wish I could tell you my story.”
I freaking love you man. It’s been a hard year for me, and this last month has been hard since the death. I wish I could tell you my story.
Simpson later thanked the public for all their support.
I posted last night trying to sell valuable items to raise money. I woke up overwhelmed by the love and support of people who don’t even know my grandpas story. My family is so grateful for you all!
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) annual report on funeral costs, inflation didn’t affect average pricing. The average cost nationwide sits over $7,800 — over six percent in growth since 2016.
In the West South Central area, which includes Texas, the average funeral cost sits over $7,300. The Mountain area, which includes Arizona, has an average cost of over $6,800.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
The Democratic primary for secretary of state race is heating up after reports that Reginald Bolding will release opposition research on Adrian Fontes in the near future.
The news prompted Fontes to issue a video to dissuade the significance of whatever Bolding plans on releasing. He didn’t elaborate on what the opposition research would entail, but he assured the public that the potential controversies had no bearing on his ability to serve.
Fontes alleged that Bolding was acting out in anger due to recent media reports on his dark money ties, and because media revealed that a supporter of Fontes filed a complaint on the dark money issue. Fontes also called for Bolding to drop out of the race.
“He is going to try to levy some personal attacks on me, on things that have nothing to do with the office, on irrelevancies, which is what desperate politicians will do,” said Fontes. “Know this: there is no Democrat in this race that is better to beat Mark Finchem in the fall.”
Bolding hasn’t addressed the claim of his dropping opposition research. Instead, the minority leader tweeted that not every post on Twitter contained real information.
Everything you see on twitter isn't real. Like "internal" polls. 🤣
Bolding came under scrutiny this week after reports emerged that his campaign was propped up by dark money from the political action committee (PAC) of his voting rights nonprofit: Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona. The nonprofit’s PAC funded campaign ads for Bolding. Dark money refers to funds whose sources aren’t disclosed.
In an interview with ABC15 last week,Bolding denied that his nonprofit was a dark money group on the technicality that his nonprofit markets itself as a voting rights organization, and that he doesn’t run the PAC arm.
“There’s definitely a separation between community organizing and dark money entities that have been designed to change the election outcome,” said Bolding.
The Phoenix-based market research firm, OH Predictive Insights, is polling Arizona Democrats about Bolding and Fontes. One of the questions discussed Bolding’s dark money controversy at length.
@NateSilver538 OH Predictive Insights is sending out a "poll" to AZ Democrats regarding the AZ SOS Democratic primary between Bolding and Fontes with this strongly worded question. pic.twitter.com/AGkiLUFHWU
The news of Bolding’s ties came several weeks after reports came out that Bolding raised more than any other Democrat among state House candidates and officeholders.
Our Voice, Our Vote is part of Activate 48, a coalition of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) organizations. Several other members of Activate 48 endorsed Bolding and campaigned for him: Living United for Change (LUCHA), Mi Familia Vota, and Chispa.
One recent Activate 48 mailer for Bolding included the Planned Parenthood for Arizona (PPAZ) endorsement. Both Bolding and Fontes served on PPAZ’s board in the past.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
On Wednesday, Parkland shooting survivor and gun control activist David Hogg shouted down Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) and disrupted the House hearing on a gun control bill. The day-long Judiciary Committee hearing discussed HR2814, or “Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act.” Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA-28) introduced the bill in April.
Biggs insisted that the bill would only disarm U.S. citizens as they face an ongoing invasion — his estimation of the border crisis — and the increased levels of crime nationwide. He spoke in support of Congressman Chip Roy’s (R-TX-21) proposed amendment to the bill.
“You have every indication of an invasion and you have disarmed — with this bill you’re going to disarm people. You’re going to prevent them from defending themselves along the border,” said Biggs.
Biggs shared that one of his constituents sold his house and moved due to the border crisis, after having lived there 17 years. The congressman said that this man wasn’t alone, but that many others told him that they feared leaving their homes.
Biggs cited border security data to remind the committee that the cartels were trafficking a torrent of criminals, illegal immigrants, and drugs. He cited the assassination plot publicized in May against former President George W. Bush.
Biggs then asserted that the federal government was sanctioning the cartels’ efforts, purposefully allowing the invasion.
“It’s purposeful on part of the federal government, which has basically sanctioned this invasion,” said Biggs.
It was that comment that spurred Hogg to interrupt Biggs. Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY-10) gaveled down Hogg immediately. Police escorted Hogg out of the hearing.
Hogg insisted that Biggs’ remarks were “perpetuating violence.” Hoggs compared Biggs’ argument to those included in mass shooters’ manifestos, insisting that firearms used in crimes were sourced from within the U.S.
The guns in Parkland, Buffalo, El Paso, didn't come from Mexico. They came from the US, and the shooters were inspired by racist, anti-black, anti-immigrant manifestos that rhyme with GOP talking points. pic.twitter.com/0D4QbHvu1t
Biggs’ remarks began approximately 2 hours into the hearing. On the Republican side of the committee were four signs reading a reference to the Second Amendment: “Shall Not Be Infringed.”
Biggs later shared that Democrat leaders invited Hogg to the hearing.
Biggs tweeted that Hogg was a “woke, radical activist” when sharing an interview with Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson. He added that, by Democrats’ standards, Hogg’s interruption was tantamount to insurrection because he interrupted a congressional proceeding.
“He’s trying to grift off this whole thing, it looks like, and he should probably be brought up on charges. Where is that J6 Committee when you need them?” asked Biggs. “Stoking the fire like that is what the Democrats did; that’s why they wanted him there. They were hoping for that kind of incident.”
David Hogg is a woke, radical activist who interrupted a congressional proceeding today by shouting incoherent slurs at me.
Hoggs later called Biggs a “white nationalist,” saying that it was a duty to interrupt free speech — even during a congressional hearing — because it was “harmful rhetoric.”
We have a duty to interrupt white nationalists when they spew harmful rhetoric. We have to, they’re using the same talking points as mass shooter manifestos.
Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly has prohibited political party observers from accessing 15 in-person early voting locations. Counsel for the Republican National Committee (RNC) sent a letter to Cázares-Kelly on Tuesday asking the recorder to reconsider her decision. At present, only 4 of the 15 voting sites have opened. The remainder are scheduled to open next Monday, July 25.
AZ Free News reached out to Cázares-Kelly about the issue. She didn’t respond by press time.
Arizona law allows at least one representative from each political party to be present. Cázares-Kelly declared in a press release last Wednesday that political party observers were “a courtesy” and that requests to allow observers were given on short notice.
Cázares-Kelly further claimed that the early voting locations lacked enough space to accommodate observers, and that her office lacked personnel to oversee observers. The recorder noted that observers were welcome at the ballot processing center instead.
“All our experienced staffers are busy ensuring a successful and secure Early Voting process,” wrote Cázares-Kelly. “While we are unable to accommodate observers at our Early Voting sites at this time with such short notice due to staffing and space issues, we are happy to work with the public to find ways in which they can be certain that our processes are conducted in a fair and secure manner that may include a scheduled one-time visit or revisiting our policy for future elections contingent on conditions that will allow for it.”
The RNC letter obtained by AZ Free News reflected Cázares-Kelly’s concerns. Eric Spencer, the attorney with RNC’s counsel Snell & Wilmer, said that he sympathized with the recorder’s concerns but insisted that party observers ensured free and fair voting, therefore boosting voter confidence.
“I respectfully submit that the introduction of party observers is a hugely stabilizing influence on the voting process,” wrote Spencer. “For my part, I stand ready to assist you in any way possible to open some of these doors for a group of dedicated and patriotic individuals who are ready to serve.”
The lack of political party poll observers isn’t the only controversy Pima County has faced over its current elections. They also halved their operations from 280 voting precinct locations to 129 vote centers. These voting centers have faced criticism for their “catch-all” method of accepting ballots from any precinct rather than designated ones.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
