A teacher in Florida is being investigated by the state for showing her class a Disney film that features a gay character.
After a grueling morning of standardized testing, Jenna Barbee played the movie Strange World for her fifth graders, giving them a much needed "brain break" from the rigor they endured earlier in the day.
Also importantly, though, the movie aligned with the class' current curriculum about ecosystems, which is why Barbee chose to show it in the first place.
The issue, however, is Florida and its "Don't Say Gay Law" Parental Rights in Education Act, which bans engagement of LGBTQ+ discussions in public schools but lacks specific guidelines, making any form of representation fuel for action.
Barbee shared her story on TikTok.
You can watch her video below.
Strange World contains a romantic plot between one of the main characters Ethan, who is openly gay, and his crush Diazo.
And that didn't sit well with one school board member whose daughter was in Barbee's classroom watching the film.
The board member, who Barbee said is "currently on a rampage to get rid of every form of representation," reported the teacher to the state for "indoctrination."
Sadly, Barbee stated, her students are now being pulled out of class for investigations, which is far more traumatic for them than any PG film she could have shown.
"Their teacher showed a movie to help them connect to our curriculum and learn some valuable life lessons."
"... now admin is in their room, pulling their teacher out, calling the students one by one down to the office to interrogate them in the middle of my lessons."
"Do you know the trauma that is going to cause to some of my students?"
Barbee also shared:
"I would not and never would indoctrinate anyone to follow my beliefs."
"I will, however, always be a safe person to come to that spreads the message of kindness, positivity and compassion for everyone."
Viewers of the TikTok agreed the reaction by the board member—and subsequently the state— is beyond extreme.
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
And while everyone shared their support...
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
... they also shared the same sentiment.
Run—don't walk—away from Florida as fast as you can.
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
@becomingabetterbarbee/TikTok
To quote the Barbee, the school board—and the state—could "learn a thing or two" from watching Strange World.
"Follow your heart."
"Find the compassion."
"Find the kindness."
"It's the key to a better, positive life."
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