Oklahoma principal forced out after being targeted for drag career

Oklahoma principal forced out after being targeted for drag career

By Maham Javaid
February 14, 2024 at 5:17 p.m. EST



Shane Murnan, former principal at John Glenn Elementary School in Oklahoma, says he was forced out of his job after being targeted for his drag career. (Shane Murnan)

Shane Murnan thought he was living his professional dream when he was named principal of an elementary school. But it quickly soured after an anonymous newsletter highlighted his after-hours performances in drag.

The school began receiving threats weeks after his hiring. Anonymous callers told staffers that if Murnan, 52, came to his office, he would leave in a body bag, he said.

Days later, Murnan’s Oklahoma City home and John Glenn Elementary School were threatened with bombs, police told him.

Murnan, who has been working in public education for 26 years, had to move homes out of security concerns, and the district told him not to come in during school hours.

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By Maham Javaid
Maham Javaid is a general assignment reporter who joined The Washington Post in 2022. She was previously reporting for the Live desk at the New York Times. Twitter