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Florida’s Division of Schooling (DOE) is investigating fifth-grade instructor Jenna Barbee after she confirmed a Disney film with a homosexual character to her college students on Might 3. The 2022 film Unusual World follows a household of explorers on an journey and options an overtly homosexual teenager, Ethan Clade, who has a crush on his pal Diazo.
Father or mother and faculty board member Shannon Rodriguez reported the incident to the state DOE and to the Hernando County College District north of Tampa, the place Barbee teaches. The district despatched a Might 4 observe to oldsters notifying them that their youngsters had seen the film.
“Yesterday, the Disney film Unusual World was proven in your baby’s classroom,” reads the letter, shared with Hyperallergic by Hernando County College District spokesperson Karen Jordan. “Whereas not the principle plot of the film, components of the story contain a male character having and expressing emotions for one more male character. Sooner or later, this film won’t be proven.”
The observe provides that the district’s Skilled Requirements Division is reviewing the matter to determine whether or not to take corrective motion. Barbee, nevertheless, advised CNN she had resigned from her place every week earlier than she even confirmed the film, citing “politics and the concern of not with the ability to be who you might be.”
Screening Unusual World may violate Florida’s 2022 Parental Invoice of Rights, the so-called “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice championed by Governor Ron DeSantis that restricts classroom dialogue of gender identification and sexual orientation. The invoice initially utilized to kindergarten by means of third grade, nevertheless it was expanded final month to embody all grades as much as highschool seniors. For a instructor, breaking the rule is an offense that might result in suspension or revocation of their educating license. At this time, DeSantis signed into regulation one more growth that restricts reproductive well being training in addition to a regulation banning transition-related take care of minors.Â
On Might 11, Barbee’s pal Tweeted a letter from the DOE to Barbee informing her that she was underneath investigation. The Tweet went viral. (A DOE spokesperson advised Hyperallergic that it may neither verify nor deny whether or not the investigation was ongoing.)
Three days later, Barbee posted a TikTok chronicling the state of affairs and explaining she had despatched dwelling a permission slip for PG-rated films. She has not but responded to Hyperallergic’s request for remark.
Within the video, Barbee explains that her college students “didn’t bat a watch” till the varsity and state made the film into a difficulty. She additionally says she selected to point out Unusual Love as a result of it associated to the category’s Earth science unit and teaches classes about overcoming variations and spreading kindness.
“I by no means noticed this angle earlier than,” Barbee stated within the video in regard to Rodriguez’s grievance in regards to the homosexual character. “So I didn’t assume it was an enormous deal.” The instructor additionally explains that her position as a instructor is to be a secure presence for all of her college students, a few of whom have advised her they’re LGBTQ+.
Now, Barbee says, a DOE investigator is pulling her college students out of sophistication one after the other for questioning.
If the miserable debacle sounds acquainted, it might be as a result of an identical state of affairs performed out in March when a Florida constitution college principal resigned amidst mother and father’ complaints that an artwork instructor had proven their youngsters Michelangelo’s “David” (1501–1504).
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