In a packed meeting, over 60 people spoke in support of Max, a trans boy barred from playing a lead male role. The school board then relented, issuing an apology and reinstating Max to the role.
I hope Max and his friends and classmates have a wonderful time with the play. I'm happy for the community and students who really pulled together for him.
Sometimes (more often than not) the phobias, hate and bullying seems overwhelming. As a Queer+ ally I feel helpless. Then I turn to Erin and my day is brighter, my voice louder, I am inspired, and motivated to get back on my soap box. Silence = Death. Accolades for those who refuse to remain silent. Erin your voice is LOUD, clear and valued.
The fact that theatre has traditionally and frequently cast people to play characters of different genders from their AGAB, it only makes it more blaringly transphobic that they can't let a trans person play a character that is their gender.
This really has reached the "dumbass" level. It's show tunes. Geez, if they start enforcing hetero-normative crap in musical theater they will be very, very busy.
I really find that I am annoyed at the fact that the apology was directed to a wide audience and that no one said, "Max, we're sorry. We were wrong.". I may be too dark tonight, but I'm not really sure this is a victory. It feels more like when a cockroach skittles back under cover.
It's a victory but I definitely agree the apology was weak. Those who changed their minds about discriminating against a 13 year old boy after the community came together are still likely not board members that are inclusive but rather in the end trying to backpedal to save their jobs and hide their bigotry. Who ever first push such transphobic policy and decisions really should step down from their role as part of the apology.
Very good news - it’s really nice the community stood up for this student, and in Texas of all places. As the storm clouds gather in advance of the 2024 elections - and the likelihood that an onslaught of anti-trans hate will happen - any glimmer of hope, anywhere, is welcome.
Erin please delete if inappropriate...I just sent off an email to the Sherman School District. I want the school board to realize their bullying hate filled decisions go beyond their school district. I included that I am from Oregon. I found it interesting to check out their website and especially the dress code page. https://www.shermanisd.net/. Want to send a snail mail letter or email?
Now that I am off my rant I will take the time to savor all the positive that has out. The people who chose not to remain silent. Brave Max and students who voice is so loud it gives me goose bumps.
I checked it out too! Mainly because our small city in the Indianapolis suburbs have lengthened and put more restrictions on our dress code policies and removed a section about microagresions added only a couple of years before because of such issues. We unfortunately have 4/7 board members now with their own conservative right and white agendas that we are watching closely. We also have issues of book banning from right wing appointments to the library board. All linked to M4L Hamilton county IN. Happy to say there is pushback by the community and authors but it is still not resolved and books are still displaced even if they put the policy on hold for review (likely so elections could proceed without that being on the minds of voters).
I have never seen such a restrictive dress code. Once a school board passes a restriction full of heat it just seems to travel on to other school boards.
It does my heart good, it encourages me and strengthens my straining hope, to see occasions like this - particularly for the level of community support that drove it.
I will add, though, that some years ago I wrote that "The corollary to 'every dark cloud has a silver lining' is 'every bright cloud had a lead lining, or at least some air pollution to fret about.'" In line with that, I would have wished for a better apology from the school board.
This one was better than your typical non-apology apology, but it still falls clearly short of what I want to see in a true apology: direct acknowledgement of having been in the wrong. Not "regret for the circumstances" (equivalent to "sorry you were offended"), not "committed to ethical duties" (a variation on "that's not who I am") but "we screwed up, we were wrong," directly and clearly.
Still, I'll take what I can get. Which is the reversal of the decision driven, again, by community support.
Theater and the arts, similar to women's sports, is filled with queer people and allies. They are some of the safest spaces. It just really shows how ignorant they are to the rest of the world when they go after these spaces. As if no one was going to speak out against them. Yay for Max!
Yes! Victories happen, and we should savor every moment when they happen (such as a week ago)!
I am so happy this story has a happy ending.
I hope Max and his friends and classmates have a wonderful time with the play. I'm happy for the community and students who really pulled together for him.
I can only imagine how amazing this production will be to be a part of now. Wish I could go watch it.
Sometimes (more often than not) the phobias, hate and bullying seems overwhelming. As a Queer+ ally I feel helpless. Then I turn to Erin and my day is brighter, my voice louder, I am inspired, and motivated to get back on my soap box. Silence = Death. Accolades for those who refuse to remain silent. Erin your voice is LOUD, clear and valued.
That makes me so happy
The fact that theatre has traditionally and frequently cast people to play characters of different genders from their AGAB, it only makes it more blaringly transphobic that they can't let a trans person play a character that is their gender.
Heck yeah! That nonsense was crap.
This really has reached the "dumbass" level. It's show tunes. Geez, if they start enforcing hetero-normative crap in musical theater they will be very, very busy.
They would probably count it as a win to ban all theater.
There is no apology the school board could have given to erase the hurt, pain, and damage they have inflicted on everyone.
I really find that I am annoyed at the fact that the apology was directed to a wide audience and that no one said, "Max, we're sorry. We were wrong.". I may be too dark tonight, but I'm not really sure this is a victory. It feels more like when a cockroach skittles back under cover.
It's a victory but I definitely agree the apology was weak. Those who changed their minds about discriminating against a 13 year old boy after the community came together are still likely not board members that are inclusive but rather in the end trying to backpedal to save their jobs and hide their bigotry. Who ever first push such transphobic policy and decisions really should step down from their role as part of the apology.
Very good news - it’s really nice the community stood up for this student, and in Texas of all places. As the storm clouds gather in advance of the 2024 elections - and the likelihood that an onslaught of anti-trans hate will happen - any glimmer of hope, anywhere, is welcome.
Erin please delete if inappropriate...I just sent off an email to the Sherman School District. I want the school board to realize their bullying hate filled decisions go beyond their school district. I included that I am from Oregon. I found it interesting to check out their website and especially the dress code page. https://www.shermanisd.net/. Want to send a snail mail letter or email?
2701 Loy Lake Road
Sherman, TX 75090
(903) 891-6400
F:(903) 891-6407
sisdinfo@shermanisd.net
Now that I am off my rant I will take the time to savor all the positive that has out. The people who chose not to remain silent. Brave Max and students who voice is so loud it gives me goose bumps.
sisdinfo@shermanisd.net
I checked it out too! Mainly because our small city in the Indianapolis suburbs have lengthened and put more restrictions on our dress code policies and removed a section about microagresions added only a couple of years before because of such issues. We unfortunately have 4/7 board members now with their own conservative right and white agendas that we are watching closely. We also have issues of book banning from right wing appointments to the library board. All linked to M4L Hamilton county IN. Happy to say there is pushback by the community and authors but it is still not resolved and books are still displaced even if they put the policy on hold for review (likely so elections could proceed without that being on the minds of voters).
I have never seen such a restrictive dress code. Once a school board passes a restriction full of heat it just seems to travel on to other school boards.
I don’t know how the school board thought that this would ever turn out well for them. But I’m not surprised.
Bullies always think they can get away with it. They don't expect their victims to come back the next day with half the town behind them.
The only way to stop them is to publicly humiliate them. That's the only thing they understand.
Great news. Sanity over inanity. So happy they got real.
It does my heart good, it encourages me and strengthens my straining hope, to see occasions like this - particularly for the level of community support that drove it.
I will add, though, that some years ago I wrote that "The corollary to 'every dark cloud has a silver lining' is 'every bright cloud had a lead lining, or at least some air pollution to fret about.'" In line with that, I would have wished for a better apology from the school board.
This one was better than your typical non-apology apology, but it still falls clearly short of what I want to see in a true apology: direct acknowledgement of having been in the wrong. Not "regret for the circumstances" (equivalent to "sorry you were offended"), not "committed to ethical duties" (a variation on "that's not who I am") but "we screwed up, we were wrong," directly and clearly.
Still, I'll take what I can get. Which is the reversal of the decision driven, again, by community support.
Which, at the end of the day, is a lot. :-)
Exactly my thoughts too!
Theater and the arts, similar to women's sports, is filled with queer people and allies. They are some of the safest spaces. It just really shows how ignorant they are to the rest of the world when they go after these spaces. As if no one was going to speak out against them. Yay for Max!
Yay max and friends! As for the original decisionmaker clowns, wait til they hear about the entire history of theatre 🤪
Good!