Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, has criticized Representative Mikie Sherrill’s stance on education, accusing her of prioritizing ideology over biology by limiting parental choice. This statement was made in an interview.
“Mikie Sherrill says parents can opt out of health class, but not out of her state-mandated LGBTQ curriculum,” said Cortes. “Translation: facts about biology are optional, but ideology is compulsory.”
Sherrill came under scrutiny following a viral clip from a May 2025 primary debate where she opposed parental opt-outs for LGBTQ-related lessons in schools. The remarks were subsequently featured in a GOP attack ad, igniting discussions about curriculum transparency and parental rights. According to Metro Weekly, the video gained significant traction online, notably through platforms like Libs of TikTok.
Parental concerns regarding school curricula remain prevalent. A February 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 54% of U.S. adults believe parents should have the option to exclude their children from lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity. Support for such opt-out policies is particularly strong among Republicans and religious groups, while Democrats are more inclined to oppose them.
State policies on curriculum differ significantly across the United States. GLSEN’s policy maps indicate that states like Arkansas, Florida, Montana, and New Hampshire permit parental opt-outs from LGBTQ-inclusive instruction. In contrast, Arizona, Tennessee, and Wyoming require explicit opt-in consent. Meanwhile, states such as California and New Jersey mandate inclusive curricula without allowing opt-outs.
Cortes is a conservative commentator and former Trump campaign adviser who now leads the League of American Workers. He has previously worked in finance and gained recognition as a political and economic analyst on networks including CNBC, CNN, and Fox News. His current focus is on promoting populist, pro-worker policy ideas.
The League of American Workers describes itself as a patriotic-populist advocacy group dedicated to raising wages, protecting American labor, and strengthening family stability. The organization engages in research and media campaigns to advocate for economic nationalism and worker-first policies.
