Florida is investigating a teacher who showed Disney movie with a gay character : NPR

Unusual World tells the story of a household of explorers.

Disney

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Disney

Unusual World tells the story of a household of explorers.

Disney

A Florida trainer is underneath investigation by the state’s Division of Training after she confirmed her college students a Disney film that includes a homosexual character.

Jenna Barbee, who teaches fifth grade within the Hernando County Faculty District, says a pupil’s mom lodged a criticism with schooling officers after Barbee confirmed the movie Unusual World in her classroom.

Barbee stated the film focuses on people’ relationship to the atmosphere, which was why she selected to point out it to her class after a bit on ecosystems, vegetation and animals. She stated a subplot a few boy having a crush on one other boy by no means crossed her thoughts earlier than screening the movie.

“It talks about like to all issues, and that is actually what this film represents,” Barbee instructed NPR. “I discover it fascinating that now I am getting in bother for the same subject.”

Unusual World, a PG-rated Disney film launched final 12 months, options actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Gabrielle Union amongst others and tells the story of three generations of a household exploring a harmful land beneath their world.

Karen Jordan, a spokesperson for the Hernando County Faculty District, confirmed to NPR in an electronic mail that each the district and the state are investigating the matter.

She stated the Hernando County Faculty District despatched a observe to the dad and mom of youngsters within the class informing them that their youngsters had been proven the movie.

“Whereas not the principle plot of the film, components of the story includes a male character having and expressing emotions for one more male character,” the observe reads partly. “Sooner or later, this film is not going to be proven.”

When requested why the district would now not present Unusual World, Jordan stated there’s a college board coverage that guides the usage of films in school rooms and that the film could violate Florida’s “Parental Invoice of Rights,” a legislation signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis final 12 months.

The legislation — which critics have dubbed “Do not Say Homosexual” — bars classroom instruction associated to sexual orientation and gender identification in kindergarten via third grade. In April, the Florida Board of Training accepted an expansion of the ban to all grades.

DeSantis has been concentrating on curriculum and variety applications in public colleges and schools that he is attacked as “woke indoctrination.”

Cassie Palelis, press secretary for the Florida Division of Training, stated in an electronic mail to NPR on Monday that the division could not verify or deny whether or not Barbee is underneath investigation and pointed to the state’s legal process for investigating complaints towards academics.

The problem got here into public view after considered one of Barbee’s colleagues tweeted a photo of the letter Barbee obtained from state schooling officers informing her that she was underneath investigation.

Barbee additionally posted a video on TikTok explaining her state of affairs, saying investigators have been interviewing college students concerning the matter.

In an interview with NPR, she famous that Unusual World additionally depicts a heterosexual couple kissing, however stated that solely the same-sex crush was the topic of the guardian’s criticism.

“You do not get to select and select which belongings you need and which issues you do not,” Barbee stated. “That is the difficulty with our faculty system immediately. It is simply this ongoing battle of everyone attending to push what they consider.”