A transgender high schooler’s family claims the student lost the lead role in the musical “Oklahoma!” after the Texas school implemented a new policy that only male actors can play other males, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported.
The senior, Max, said the family were notified by the school principal of the new policy two weeks after the role was assigned. Max’s father, Phillip Hightower, said he was “devastated,” according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
“And [he] said we’re instituting a new policy where only males can play males, and only females can play females,” Hightower told NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. “I’m not an activist. I’m not highly political. I have both liberal and conservative beliefs. I’m just a dad that wants to fight for his kid.” (RELATED: REPORT: Alabama Pastor Kills Himself In Front Of Police After Getting Exposed As Alleged ‘Transgender Curvy Girl’)
The school said in a statement to the outlet that the decision was made due to adult themes discovered in the play, something Hightower called “kind of odd.”
A school district in North Texas said it reviewed a student musical because it was alleged that the production “contained mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content.”
The production?
Oklahoma! 🙃https://t.co/cvof4kJAl4
— Stuart Richardson (@StuLRichardson) November 8, 2023
“There is no policy on how students are assigned to roles,” the school said, NBC Dallas-Fort Worth reported. “As it relates to this particular production, the sex of the role as identified in the script will be used when casting.”
“It was brought to the District’s attention that the current production contained mature adult themes, profane language, and sexual content. Unfortunately, all aspects of the production need to be reviewed, including content, stage production/props, and casting to ensure that the production is appropriate for the high school stage.”