Trans teen loses lead role in musical over school's sudden concerns over 'sexual' content
A Texas high school has taken away the lead role in a musical production from a student because he is transgender.
Max Hightower, a senior, has been active in Sherman High School's theater productions throughout his school years, and his dedication paid off when he landed the male lead last month in "Oklahoma!," reported KXII-TV.
“He puts in the effort," said his father, Phillip Hightower. "I mean, I can’t tell you how many times they’ve been singing in the bedroom."
But shortly after he was cast in the part, Max said the school principal told him about a new policy that would take away his role because he identifies as a transgender male.
“Actors and actresses could only play a role that was the same gender they were assigned at birth,” Max said. “I was devastated."
The school district said the show would be postponed until January due to what officials called sexual content and profanity, and they said while there was no policy on how students are assigned to roles, for this production the gender of the role as identified in the script would determine casting.
Hightower said his son has typically played female supporting characters in school productions and Max said the policy doesn't really make sense in the historical context of theater.
“All kinds of actors have played all kinds of parts,” Max said. “I mean, I grew up watching 'Mrs. Doubtfire.'”
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