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The Parental Rights in Education Act – known as “Don’t Say Gay” – means parts of Shakespeare cannot be taught in Florida
03:54, Wed, Aug 9, 2023 | UPDATED: 03:54, Wed, Aug 9, 2023
Romeo and Juliet (Image: Getty)
School pupils in Florida will only be taught excerpts of William Shakespeare’s works because of the “sexual content” contained in the plays.
Hillsborough County informed teachers in the state that parts of the Bard’s classics contain sections that cannot be taught under the recently passed Parents Rights in Education Act. The legislation, known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law by its opposition, limits classroom activity that “contains pornography or obscene depictions of sexual conduct”.
Other reasons included revised state standards and an effort to get students to read a wide variety of books for their exams, reports Sky News. The changes were announced in an email to educators on Tuesday.
Several of Shakespeare’s plays contain suggestive word play and innuendo. For example, in Romeo and Juliet it is heavily implied that the protagonists have premarital sex.
Shakespeare texts (Image: Getty)
The playwright’s books will however be available for checkout at media centres at schools, the district said. A statement said: “First and foremost, we have not excluded Shakespeare from our high school curriculum.
“Students will still have the physical books to read excerpts in class. Curriculum guides are continually reviewed and refined throughout the year to align with state standards and current law.”
The decision is the latest fallout from the legislation championed by Ron DeSantis. The law outlaws classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity in lower grades.
A second law, passed this year, extends the ban discussions on gender and sexual orientation discussion to other grades. It also prevents pupils and teachers using pronouns differing to their biological sex.
William Shakespeare (Image: Getty)
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It also means parents can lodge challenges against school books. Republicans said the bill was intended to shield children from sexualised content.
Education Commissioner Manny Diaz discussed the confusion regarding Shakespearian texts. He put “Romeo and Juliet” on his list of books he is recommending that students read in August.
“This month’s book recommendations provide a variety of reading materials that students will find uplifting and will spark a love for literacy,” Diaz said in a statement.
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