Mesa Teacher Takes Legal Action After Online Attacks by Incoming School Board Member

In a troubling incident highlighting the clash over education and LGBTQ+ rights, Tami Staas, a seasoned teacher in the Mesa Unified School District, has found herself at the center of a targeted harassment campaign. Initially, she dismissed derogatory posts labeling her a “groomer” on far-right blogs. However, as the situation escalated to threats against her job and personal safety, Staas felt compelled to act.

Staas, who has dedicated over a decade to teaching elementary students, disclosed to LOOKOUT her mounting frustration. “I’m tired, for lack of a better word,” she remarked, expressing the toll such targeted harassment has taken on her mental health. “It’s caused a lot of mental anguish. I need it to stop.”

The campaign against her appears driven by conservative figures who accuse her of promoting “sexual indoctrination” through advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues and inclusive policies in schools. These allegations stem, in part, from her role as the leader of the Arizona Trans Youth Parent Organization, an advocacy group for transgender youth and their families.

Staas has publicly opposed state legislative measures limiting trans students’ rights, including access to bathrooms and participation in sports. Her commitment to this cause intensified after many parents involved in the organization relocated to escape the growing anti-trans sentiment in Arizona. Despite having a trans child who has also left the state, Staas refuses to abandon her home. “My roots are here. I have faith in Arizona,” she stated. “I’d like to see a change, and I’m fighting the good fight.”

Unfortunately, Staas’s determination has intensified a backlash. Articles targeting her have circulated widely online, amplified by organizations like Moms for Liberty and Libs of TikTok, both of which the Southern Poverty Law Center designates as hate groups. In response to escalating threats, Staas has filed a defamation lawsuit against individuals associated with these campaigns, including Mesa school board member elect Sharon Benson.

The lawsuit names Benson, Peggy McClain, Chris Hamlet, and Tamra Farah as defendants, contending that they have disseminated false and misleading information that jeopardizes Staas’s teaching position. McClain operates the blog “Not In Our Schools,” which has repeatedly vilified LGBTQ+ educators.

Benson, who recently won a seat on the Mesa Unified School District Governing Board, has also made inflammatory statements linking poor educational outcomes to LGBTQ+ individuals. Her social media posts contain accusations against Staas, alleging she has promoted inappropriate content and undermined educational standards.

Amidst the growing tension, the Mesa Unified School District conducted an investigation into the allegations against Staas, ultimately finding no evidence of wrongdoing. Yet, the defendants in the lawsuit continue to propagate harmful narratives online. Staas’s civil claims focus on the impact of these assertions, particularly how they have affected her professional reputation and emotional well-being.

While the defamation suit unfolds, the broader implications of the case on the practices of conservative media outlets remain uncertain. Publications like AZ Free News, run by members with ties to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, continue to disseminate content that echoes the sentiments shared by the suit’s defendants.

Staas’s legal battle is not just personal; it’s indicative of a larger cultural conflict over representation in education and the rights of marginalized communities. Her resolve to fight against the misinformation and stigma placed upon her and others like her continues as the community watches closely.

Representatives from the implicated parties have not responded to requests for comments as the situation develops.