As Arizona Students Return, Turning Point USA’s Influence Looms Over Classrooms

In Arizona campuses, Turning Point USA’s presence is no longer subtle. The national conservative youth group has planted chapters in more than 20 high schools, major universities, and community groups, published watchlists of teachers, and mobilized students to fight LGBTQ+ policies across the state — moves that advocates say are creating hostile environments for queer and transgender students as well as staff.

Turning Point USA describes itself as a “free markets, limited government” organization for young conservatives. Much of its activity on school campuses focuses on social issues, including wading into conversations around patriotism, “wokeness,” and opposing curriculum and programs that address race, gender identity, and sexuality.

Included in its resources for students and followers are public watchlists naming teachers and districts that host LGBTQ+ events, teach about gender diversity or reference critical race theory — a college-level law course that conservatives have argued (incorrectly) is being taught in public schools en masse.

One such tool, TPUSA’s School Board Watchlist, identifies school districts the group considers “radical” for promoting diversity and inclusion. Critics say the list has encouraged online harassment of educators and administrators. TPUSA operates a similar Professor Watchlist for higher education faculty.

One of those watchlists featured Arizona State University instructor David Boyles, a nonbinary professor who was attacked on campus in 2023 by two TPUSA employees — Kalen D’Almeida and Braden Ellis. County prosecutors dropped charges after both men agreed to complete a deferment program. Ellis left the organization in 2024. D’Almeida still works for TPUSA’s media arm, Frontlines.

Neither person could be reached for comment on whether the deferment program changed their perspectives on LGBTQ+ people. But in June, D’Almeida posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “trans people will kill you.”

Advocates for inclusive education say Turning Point’s presence on campus has a chilling effect in classrooms, particularly in making students feel unsafe.

LOOKOUT attempted to reach students at public schools with TPUSA chapters but could not get students on the record to speak about their experience.

The outlet also reached out to Turning Point USA's point of contact for school chapters, along with multiple local chapter leaders via email but did not receive a response back.

“We don’t believe Turning Point USA belongs in our schools,” said Aten Morin, engagement and communications manager for Just Schools, an education advocacy group focused on students and youth. “They push false information, try to make LGBTQ+ students feel like they don’t belong, and go after teachers who support them. They aren’t here to help students or build understanding.”

Meredith Walker, an educator who spent most of her career as a professor at Grand Canyon University, said TPUSA regularly set up recruitment tables in prominent areas on campus. She said LGBTQ+ groups often used spaces on the campus periphery, avoiding the group.

In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.

The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.

LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)

“The fact that Turning Point was so welcome on campus was indicative of a very anti-queer, anti-any-other-thought process other than conservative Republicanism,” Walker said. “They look for a fight, and then when they get a fight, they scream oppression.”

Supporters of TPUSA’s approach argue — without evidence — that schools are teaching politically biased education around gender, sexuality, race and socio-economic issues.

Critics say those perceptions have influenced some supporters of the organization into online threats, physical violence or persecution, such as calling for the firing of queer teachers, removing queer youth from schools, or labeling classroom discussions around sexuality or gender as predatory behavior.

“This isn’t free speech, it’s targeted harm,” Morin said.

At the Capitol, the organization has faced limited pushback from lawmakers. Legislators have advanced bills that could limit Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in schools — a bill that never became law — but there has been no similar effort to limit clubs supported by TPUSA that promote or align with anti-LGBTQ+ groups such as Moms for Liberty, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as a hate group.

Tyler Kowch, communications manager for Save Our Schools Arizona, said schools are often reluctant to challenge TPUSA because of the organization’s resources and legal capabilities. “Opposing the organization could lead to a massive lawsuit with a lot of media attention, and unfortunately, a lot of our schools just can’t afford that,” Kowch said.

TPUSA does not disclose how local chapters are funded or who oversees them. Its national office is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit closely tied to Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) political organization that spends millions to influence elections.

The group also runs a Christian-based online academy program that teaches there are only two genders and denounces homosexuality.

Four Arizona schools are affiliated: Solas Academy in Gilbert, Majestic Grace Christian Academy in Phoenix, Dream City Christian in Glendale and Refresh Learning Center in Waddell.

According to its website, TPUSA has chapters at more than 20 Phoenix-area high schools, as well as student-led clubs at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University and several community colleges.

GCU is listed as the largest campus chapter with 150 members. TPUSA also operates “activism hubs” for students without formal chapters, which organize rallies, protests and campaigns.

Both TPUSA and its political arm have worked to influence local school board elections. In 2022, Kirk called Arizona a “battleground” for conservative education reform, pledging to train students to “retake our schools.” Supporters and affiliates have attended school board meetings in Peoria, Chandler and Scottsdale to oppose LGBTQ+ books, inclusive sex education and transgender participation in youth intramural sports.

Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ School Board Proposals – LOOKOUT

Arizona’s crusade against queer people in schools isn’t spontaneous, it’s being orchestrated with the help of a little-known organization with ties to other far-right groups.

LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)

Kowch first noticed TPUSA after it sponsored a Trump rally at Dream City Church in 2024. That year, he said, the group increased its activity in school board races, using social media campaigns, training summits and its watchlists to mobilize supporters.

As LOOKOUT reported in September 2024, a leaked meeting with a TPUSA leader and TPUSA-backed board members showed a strategist coaching participants on ways to resist LGBTQ+ policies in schools.