As part of what she called a “brain break” in between students’ standardized testing, fifth grade teacher Jenna Barbee screened the animated Disney movie Strange World.
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Because her students had been studying earth science and ecosystems, Strange World which is about a family of explorers navigating an alien world seemed like a good fit.
What could possibly go wrong?
I should point out that Strange World does have a gay character in it.
As Barbee said, “Is a character in the movie LGBTQ? Absolutely. Is that why I showed it? No, I’m not pushing anything, just being accepting. Does that have anything to do with why I showed it? Not in the slightest. The LGBTQ aspect of the movie, they’re harmless, it’s just a talked-about crush and it’s only a couple lines.”
And I should also point out that Jenna Barbee is a teacher in Florida.
Which has that "Don't Say Gay" law.
The inciting complaint has been tracked back to Shannon Rodriguez, who was elected to the school board last fall and was endorsed by the right-wing group Moms for Liberty who are virulently anti-LGBTQ+.
Because of this complaint by Rodriguez, Jenna Barbee is being investigated by the Florida State Department of Education.
A state investigator is on site pulling students one by one out of Barbee's classroom to be interrogated about the offending incident.
It's a strange world we live in.
Someone in this movie is turning your frickin' kids GAY!
No comments:
Post a Comment