Mark Latham, Who Has Nothing Better To Do, Is Crying Over A Lesbian Kiss In Romeo & Juliet
“Some of the boys yelled out, others were distressed, some of the girls were upset."
Parents at Campbelltown Performing Arts High are reportedly outraged by a lesbian kissing scene in a reimagined version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet entitled Shekspeare.
Despite the fact that the original work features much more questionable subject matter — such as the idea of taking your own life in the name of teenage love — parents are concerned at the “passionate” lesbian kissing scene featured in the play.
SHEkspeare was performed by the Dire Theatre Company to students in years 8, 9, and 10 at the school that specialises in performing arts. While the students were given permission slips to attend the viewing, the slip made no mention of the lesbian kiss — likely on account of the fact that any normal person probably wouldn’t care.
Parents from the school reportedly raised the non-issue with MP Mark Latham — who has repeatedly tried to pass anti-LGBTIQ legislation in the NSW Parliament — who then raised it in state parliament this week, because he apparently has nothing better to do.
“There’s a passionate kissing scene going on stage,” Latham said. “Some of the boys yelled out, others were distressed, some of the girls were upset. The parents are very upset with the note that went out where there was no mention of this. The kids came home saying there were two women kissing.
“It’s inappropriate, this shouldn’t happen in front of 13 and 14-year-olds unless you have parental permission, some of these kids haven’t even hit adolescence.
“There are Christian, Hindu, Muslim and socially conservative parents in the Campbelltown community who have a different view and were not given the option to opt-out.”
However, it must be stressed that the affection displayed in the scene was consistent to the original story. The only real difference was the gender of those involved.
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell responded to Latham’s concerns by clarifying that the play was “consistent with the Department of Education’s Controversial Issues in Schools policy”. “The exchange of affection by actors during the play was considered appropriate to the script,” Mitchell said.
While parents reportedly complained to Latham directly, Mitchell confirmed that no parents have directly complained to the school about the play.