Senior Max Hightower has thrived the last four years in
Sherman High School's choir and theater programs.
Last month, he landed his first lead role in the
school's production of Oklahoma.
Only to be told 2 weeks later by the school
principal,
there was a new policy and said we're instituting a
new policy where only males can play males and only
females can play females.
Max, who was born female but identifies as male,
was told he could no longer play one of the
male leads.
I was devastated. His parents say their son's identity has
never been an issue with the district,
and the decision by school leaders cost other students their
roles,
too. They plan to appeal to the school board.
I'm not an activist. I'm not highly political.
I have both liberal and conservative beliefs.
I'm just a dad that wants to fight for his
kid.
In a statement, Sherman ISD says quote It was brought
to the district's attention that the current production contained mature
adult themes,
profane language and sexual content and needed to be reviewed,
adding there was no policy on how students are assigned
to roles as it relates to this particular production.
The sex of the role as identified in the script
will be used when casting.
Which struck me as kind of odd because it's Oklahoma.
Maybe, I guess maybe I saw the abridged version.
I don't know. It's not Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The Hightower say they're comforted by community reaction.
Austin College's theater department invited Max to a special event
over the weekend.
The outpouring of love and support was something like I've
never seen before.
I mean, I didn't see any hate in any of
that.
And praise Max's theater teacher for creating an inclusive space
for all kids to shine when they hope can continue.
I'm not going to quit advocating for my son,
ever.
Max has shown me what real strength was.