In Florida, sexual orientation and gender identity are no longer allowed to be part of the curriculum by the twelfth grade. Even Shakespearean works fall victim to the law in one school district.
In a school district in the US state of Florida, students are now only allowed to read excerpts from William Shakespeare instead of the entire work.
The changes to the Hillsborough County public school curriculum were made in light of new Florida laws that prohibit classroom discussions about sexual orientation or gender identity. Other reasons include revised state standards and trying to get students to read a wider range of books, the school district said in an emailed statement.
Suggestive puns and innuendos
Shakespeare’s works are still available for loan at media centers in schools. “First and foremost, we have not eliminated Shakespeare from our high school curriculum. Physical books continue to be available for students to read excerpts in class,” the statement said.
“Curriculum guides are continually reviewed and refined throughout the year to align with state standards and current legislation,” the statement said. Several Shakespearean plays use salacious puns and allusions, and it is implied that the protagonists in “Romeo and Juliet” had premarital sex.
More controversial cases expected
The city of Tampa is also located in Hillsborough County. The new school year starts this week – more controversial cases are therefore expected.
In Lake County outside of Orlando, there has already been a lawsuit over the past few weeks over the children’s book “And Tango Makes Three”. It tells of two male penguins hatching an egg together.
The law, known as “Don’t say gay,” was passed in March. It had repeatedly led to protests in recent months – and also to disputes between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney.
DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Congress in Florida have passed legislation in recent years that prohibits topics such as homosexuality and transsexuality from being taught in schools up to the twelfth grade.