A school district in Texas delayed a musical production meant to be held next month over a new policy that only allows students to play roles matching their gender.
Sherman Independent School District announced the delay after it discovered that its production of the musical Oklahoma! contained "mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content." As such, all of the play's aspects will need to be reviewed, including its casting, to make sure the play is "appropriate for the high school stage." The delay comes after at least one transgender student, a biological female identifying as a male, was removed from the lead role of the production, according to a report.
REPUBLICAN DEBATE: RON DESANTIS FIGHTS ON HOME TURF TO HOLD OFF NIKKI HALEY THREAT
"There is no policy on how students are assigned to roles," a statement from the school district read. "As it relates to this particular production, the sex of the role as identified in the script will be used when casting. Because the nature and subject matter of productions vary, the District is not inclined to apply this criteria to all future productions."
The transgender student's father, Phillip Hightower, stated he was "devastated" when he found out his child was removed from the lead role of the production. He also said the principal told him about the school's new policy, in which "only males can play males, and only females can play females."
Hightower stated the new policy has caused other students to lose their roles in the production and that parents are planning to appeal the policy to the school board. He also said the school district's statement was different from the statement the principal told him.
"It struck me as kind of odd because it's Oklahoma!," Hightower said. "Maybe I saw the abridged version, but it's not Rocky Horror Picture Show."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The play was supposed to be held from Dec. 8-10 but has now been delayed until sometime in 2024.
The Washington Examiner contacted the school district for comment.