The initial decision led to nearly 20 students losing their roles, including a transgender boy, Max Hightower.
The school later changed course again, saying it would not consider sex in casting but instead put on an abbreviated version of the show tailored for young audiences.
The Sherman Independent School District Board of Trustees reversed a decision that restricted students to play roles that match their birth genders in Sherman High School's upcoming musical 'Oklahoma!'.
The Sherman Independent School District Board of Trustees in Texas has reversed a decision that initially restricted students to play roles that match their birth genders in Sherman High School's upcoming musical 'Oklahoma!'. The initial decision led to nearly 20 students losing their roles, including a transgender boy, Max Hightower. The district had initially stopped the production of the musical after Hightower was cast in a lead role, arguing that only students 'born as females in female roles and students born as males in male roles' should be allowed. This decision led to several transgender, non-binary, and cisgender students losing their parts.
The board also called a special meeting to further discuss this issue. The decision followed a community meeting where members asserted that the changes were misguided. The board apologized for the circumstances and emphasized their commitment to addressing the diverse needs of their students. The school later changed course again, saying it would not consider sex in casting but instead put on an abbreviated version of the show tailored for young audiences.
The student in question, Max Hightower, was cast in the role of Ali Hakim, the Persian peddler in the show. Following outcry from friends and parents, the school district reversed the decision, stating that sex will not be considered when casting the new production.
The school later changed course again, saying it would not consider sex in casting but instead put on an abbreviated version of the show tailored for young audiences.
The district had initially stopped the production of the musical 'Oklahoma!' after a transgender student was cast in a lead role, arguing that only students 'born as females in female roles and students born as males in male roles' should be allowed.
This decision led to several transgender, non-binary, and cisgender students losing their parts.
The student in question, Max Hightower, was cast in the role of Ali Hakim, the Persian peddler in the show.