A controversial incident involving a Florida teacher and a Disney movie has gained significant attention.
The teacher went under investigation by the state for alleged indoctrination, raising concerns about the boundaries of classroom discussions and LGBTQ representation in schools.
Investigation and Film Selection
According to the video (shown below), the teacher, Jenna Barbee, is facing scrutiny from the Florida Department of Education after she showed her fifth-grade class the animated movie “Strange World” as a brain break following a morning of standardized testing.
The movie includes a prominent gay character named Ethan and his crush, Diazo.
Barbee claims that her choice of the film was based on its relevance to the curriculum at the time, specifically focusing on earth science and ecosystems. She argues that the LGBTQ character was not the primary reason for selecting the movie, stating,
“I chose this movie because it relates to our curriculum… Our unit at the time was earth science and ecosystems and how they interact… So this movie is perfect.”
Implications of “Don’t Say Gay Law”
The investigation into Jenna Barbee’s actions has caused distress among her students. Each student is being individually interrogated by administrators, with an investigator from the Florida Board of Education scheduled to visit the classroom.
Barbee expresses concern that the investigation itself is causing more distress than the film, especially since some students had already disclosed their LGBTQ identities prior to the incident.
The investigation takes place within the broader context of Governor Ron DeSantis’s efforts to limit LGBTQ+ rights, exemplified by the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law, which prohibits classroom discussions on gender and sexuality.
Activists argue that such legislation may lead to self-censorship among teachers and hinder important conversations surrounding these topics.
This situation has garnered calls for support, including financial and legal assistance for Barbee, as well as calls for Disney to intervene.
A comment from the video reflects the concerns raised by many,“The only thing that’s inappropriate about Strange World is how people never gave such a great movie a chance!”
Another commented, “hey @Disney since ur already sueing DeSantis why not throw a lawyer this lovey teachers way to help her!”
Deciphering the Legislation
According to the National Education Association, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law aims to restrict classroom conversations about sexual orientation and gender identity in certain grade levels or in a specific manner. The law prohibits instruction on these topics in kindergarten through grade 3 and permits it only if it aligns with age-appropriate standards for higher grades.
However, the law’s vague language raises numerous questions about its implementation. For instance, it remains unclear whether educators can use books featuring LGBTQ+ characters without focusing on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Florida Department of Education has not provided guidance, leaving educators uncertain about how the law will be enforced. It is essential to note that federal civil rights laws supersede conflicting state laws and protect LGBTQ+ staff and students from discrimination and harassment.
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act ¹ prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Thus, school districts cannot enforce the “Don’t Say Gay” law in a manner that discriminates against LGBTQ+ individuals or creates a hostile environment. Discriminated educators can file complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to seek redress.
@pinknews A #teacher in #Florida is being investigated by the state for ‘indoctrination’ after showing a #Disney film which features a prominent #gay character. The investigation comes after fifth grade teacher #JennaBarbee showed her class Disney’s 2022 animated movie #StrangeWorld as a “brain break”, following a morning of #standardizedtesting. The film features Ethan, an openly gay character, and a romantic plot between Ethan and his crush, Diazo. On #TikTok, the teacher said she chose to show the film because it fit in with the class’s curriculum, as they are currently learning about #ecosystems. The #LGBTQ+ element was not the reason she put the movie on, but described it as “harmless”. Barbee claims she was reported to the state by a school board member, who she says is on a “rampage” against any form of representation in schools and her daughter was in the classroom watching Strange World. A tweet by Barbee’s friend, Carl Zee, shows a letter from the Florida #DepartmentofEducation which states the teacher is being investigated for “inappropriate conduct”. “If you have evidentiary witnesses or documents pertinent to the case, send them to this office no later than two weeks from receipt of this letter,” the letter states. “[The students] didn’t even know this was a big deal until the board member and the state made it a big deal. “They’re using it against me saying they’re ‘protecting the children’ and it’s for their safety. But what is this actually showing them?” Barbee questioned in the video. She said the investigation is more “traumatising” for the youngsters than the film was in the fist place. “But the minor representations, that have nothing to do with the movie, are such a big deal that now admin in 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,” she said. The teacher added that a number of her students had told her they are members of the LGBTQ+ community, prior to the film being shown. #lgbtqrights #dontsaygaybillflorida #teachersrights #usnews #rondesantis #republican #culturewars #transrightsarehumanrights ♬ News, news, seriousness, tension(1077866) – Lyrebirds music
Read Next:
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
