The U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) came under public scrutiny this week after an Alabama father shared his concerns regarding a transgender-identifying male employee at the camp.
The employee, a male who identifies as a female named Molly Bowman, works at the camp as “a team lead and a hall monitor in the girls dorms and at times could be allowed to be alone in the halls at night,” according to Clay Yarbrough, the concerned parent who previously planned to send his 11-year-old daughter to the camp.
The camp is located in Huntsville, Alabama, and has had more than “900,000 trainees” since launching in 1982, according to the USSRC.
Bowman’s LinkedIn profile claims that he also “facilitate[s] hands-on space-themed educational experiences for campers aged 9-18.”
“This is a man that claims to be a woman, and they allow it,” Yarborough said in his post. “Also, this is not hearsay I spoke directly to the VP/Director of Space Camp, and she confirmed this was true,” the father added.
Another parent whose child allegedly went to the camp responded to Yarbrough’s post claiming that the camp allowed transgender students to “roam the girls floors at night.”
Several of Bowman’s online posts were flagged by parents, including multiple posts that were inappropriate and sexual in nature, and some that included graphic statements regarding sexuality and gender.
The employee reportedly identifies as she/they and works as a Camp Counselor for the Space Camp program, according to local outlet WAFF 48.
The museum and space camp are both operated by the government of Alabama and now, Alabama lawmakers are calling on the USSRC to fire Bowman, claiming that it is imperative to keep children safe. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville issued a statement urging the camp to act on parents’ allegations and insisting that it is “imperative that Space Camp remains a safe place for children.” Representative Dale Strong, who outright called on the camp to fire the controversial employee, and Robert Aderholt, who echoed Sen. Tuberville’s concerns regarding students’ “safety and well-being.”
“We would like to assure parents, teachers, and the public that the safety and security of Space Camp students is our number one priority,” the USSRC said in a statement issued on Monday in response to the lawmakers’ inquiries. “Any allegations of misconduct are taken very seriously. We are working to determine the facts in this case, after which we will take appropriate action.”
The center additionally stated that employees are required to undergo “nationwide criminal background checks including court records, Department of Corrections data, state sex offender registries from across the country, and multi-panel drug tests,” according to AL, a local news outlet.
“Additionally, staff sleep in separate rooms from students and use separate bathroom facilities. We also provide 24-hour onsite security including round-the-clock video surveillance, regular foot and vehicle patrols, and controlled campus and building access,” the center said. “We are an apolitical organization with no social agenda. Our singular mission is to inspire and educate.”
The Alabama father who first shared this information on Facebook said that he spoke with the Space Camp’s Vice President Robin Soprano, who he says “dodged” several questions, but did eventually confirm that a “trans female was allowed on the form hallways, and the dorm rooms are not locked.” Soprano allegedly said this after initially telling the parent that “no males are allowed in female dorms,” AL reported.
“She said, ‘I can assure you that your kid’s safety is my number one priority, and no males are allowed in female dorms, and no females are allowed in male dorms.’ So I asked, do you allow transgenders in?” Yarbrough recollected.
The parent additionally said that he inquired as to whether or not a crew member would ever be alone with the students attending the camp.
“She just kind of set there for a minute, and then said to me, ‘You’re sure throwing out a lot of hypotheticals,’” Yarbrough claimed.
