# NEW Stupid Republican Idea of the Day (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 4, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588 "2023-07-04T21:42:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 100
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1981 "2023-11-08T00:38:49Z")
According to exit polling, [Ohioans want to keep abortion legal.](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ohio-voters-broadly-support-abortion-access-early-exit-poll-of-ballot-measure-shows/ar-AA1jyxCT?ocid=windirect&cvid=74ab7c01426144c9a94791730ddf8742&ei=14) After the Repugs in Ohio went to all the trouble of a [voter purge](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/republicans-accused-of-voter-purge-in-multiple-states/ar-AA1jcOxn). > In Ohio, 26,000 voter registrations deemed inactive by Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose were removed ahead of a crunch vote ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1982 "2023-11-08T02:28:12Z")
Also from the story: > But shortly after he was cast in the part, Max said the school principal told him about a new policy that would take away his role because he identifies as a transgender male. > “Actors and actresses could only play a role that was the same gender they were assigned at birth,” Max said. “I was devastated." In addition to the cruelty, this is really, really stupid. SunLass did a local afterschool theater activity for some years, and drama elective all four years of high school, so I know the territory. I haven’t seen a single theatrical production done by under-18 age groups that haven’t had significant gender imbalance - often 2 to 1 girls to boys. In some cases, roles can be written gender-neutral, but in each of those productions, there have been a significant number of “pants” roles, where a girl takes the role of a man onstage. So, if this policy is applied uniformly, a lot of plays simply couldn’t be put on due to this policy. What do you want to bet it’s only being applied against trans-identifying students? ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1983 "2023-11-08T03:46:22Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > So, if this policy is applied uniformly, a lot of plays simply couldn’t be put on due to this policy. Including the Globe Theatre correct? If I’m not mistaken in Shakespeare’s time all the roles were played by men because women weren’t allowed on stage? Congratulations, Texas wants to ban Shakespeare. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1984 "2023-11-08T03:47:17Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > So, if this policy is applied uniformly, a lot of plays simply couldn’t be put on due to this policy. > > What do you want to bet it’s only being applied against trans-identifying students? Most likely. It sounds like some policy they made up on the spot, in order to deal with something they wish didn’t exist; and if it absolutely must exist, then it’s not going to exist in their school. Still, if the “role must fit the same gender assigned at birth,” then some plays simply won’t be able to be performed. After all, the role of Peter Pan, who is a boy, is traditionally played by a girl; and the role of Edna Turnblad, a woman, in _Hairspray_ is traditionally played by a man. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1985 "2023-11-08T05:05:13Z")
When I was in 4th grade and our class put on a play about Thomas Edison, our teacher picked a girl to play Edison because she did the best read when he was having us “audition”. I don’t recall any of my fellow students being confused or catching gay from seeing it. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1986 "2023-11-08T05:08:16Z")
I would actually agree that Oklahoma may not be the best choice for a high school production, but that is because the hero tries to goad the local outcast into committing suicide. Probably not the best message for teens. Canceling it based on cross dressing on the other hand is just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1987 "2023-11-08T05:57:46Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Canceling it based on cross dressing on the other hand is just stupid There was no crossdressing. A boy was cast as a boy. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1988 "2023-11-08T06:00:36Z")
Yes, of course. I was using their phrasing. I should have put it in scare quotes. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1989 "2023-11-08T06:07:03Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > and the role of Edna Turnblad, a woman, in _Hairspray_ is traditionally played by a man. Well, _Hairspray_ was always going to be a problem for reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1990 "2023-11-08T06:51:46Z")
My sons’ drama program performed “Oklahoma!” I don’t think I realized then or the many times I’d watched the movie before that that was what was going on. It was a good show, a good cast, and the kids had a blast. All roles were “gender appropriate? Gender approved?” whatevs. Drama at our high school is a Big Deal and they never have a shortage of any gender. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1991 "2023-11-08T10:45:30Z")
When **DesertWife** ’s daughter was in high school she was active in the drama club. Her senior year it put on a production of _Cabaret_, a pretty good one, too. I told her how in my time people had the vapors over “I’m a bastard!” in _Arsenic and Old Lace_. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1992 "2023-11-08T10:55:23Z")
Wasn’t there a 1950s or 1960s movie where the big scandal was the use of the word _virgin_ in the movie? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1993 "2023-11-08T11:19:47Z")
> **[The Moon Is Blue (film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_Is_Blue_(film))** > > The Moon Is Blue is a 1953 American romantic comedy film produced and directed by Otto Preminger and starring William Holden, David Niven, and Maggie McNamara. Written by F. Hugh Herbert and based on his 1951 play of the same title, the film is about a young woman who meets an architect on the observation deck of the Empire State Building and quickly turns his life upside down. Herbert's play had also been a huge success in Germany, and Preminger decided to simultaneously film in English and Germ... ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1994 "2023-11-08T13:41:03Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t recall any of my fellow students being confused or catching gay from seeing it. Well, maybe not _then_, but have you checked up on them lately? /s ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1995 "2023-11-08T14:44:36Z")
My drama club put on a production of _12 Angry Men_, but re-titled it, _12 Angry Jurors_, because half the cast were girls. No protests. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1996 "2023-11-08T14:55:46Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > When **DesertWife** ’s daughter was in high school she was active in the drama club. Her senior year it put on a production of _Cabaret_, a pretty good one, too. I told her how in my time people had the vapors over “I’m a bastard!” in _Arsenic and Old Lace_. I was in a production in college, and the director made Mortimer bowdlerize the line to “I’m illegit!” ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1997 "2023-11-08T15:21:37Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > > [@SunUp](#): > > > > So, if this policy is applied uniformly, a lot of plays simply couldn’t be put on due to this policy. > > Including the Globe Theatre correct? If I’m not mistaken in Shakespeare’s time all the roles were played by men because women weren’t allowed on stage? > > Congratulations, Texas wants to ban Shakespeare. _Twelfth Night_, _Cymbeline_, _As You Like It_… there are a number of Shakespearean plays that rely on actual cross-dressing as part of the plot. But I get the feeling these school districts would be happiest if they could just cut all drama - hell, all fine arts - classes. They get the kids thinking about something other than Jesus and learning a trade. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1998 "2023-11-08T16:13:17Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > I would actually agree that Oklahoma may not be the best choice for a high school production, but that is because the hero tries to goad the local outcast into committing suicide. Probably not the best message for teens. Canceling it based on cross dressing on the other hand is just stupid. And then the hero’s girlfriend accepts a date with the outcast in an attempt to make the hero jealous, the outcast attempts to sexually assault the girlfriend, the hero kills him - then he marries his girlfriend and they all live happily ever after, except for the dead guy. What cracked me up is the article says the production was postponed until January because of sexual content and profanity………I don’t really understand why such things would be verboten in December and acceptable in January, though. I suspect they are rewriting the story, and I suspect that their main objection is to the B story of the slutty farm girl who’s sleeping with two guys. They are probably rewriting it so Ado Annie sings about the virtues of always saying no and Will Parker sings about the beautiful churches in Kansas City. I’ve seen this show 48 times - my first job post-college was as lighting director for a dinner theatre venue that specialized in 6 week runs, 8 shows a week, of the classic musical comedies. It was a great job for me because I love these old musicals ……it never got old. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/1999 "2023-11-08T16:20:53Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I don’t really understand why such things would be verboten in December and acceptable in January, though. Because they make the baby Jesus cry? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588/2000 "2023-11-08T16:24:53Z")
Our high school did a version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some of the “brothers” had to be “sisters”. AFAIK, God didn’t send lightning bolts to demolish the school, but the director did end up catching a cold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588.md?page=99) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-stupid-republican-idea-of-the-day-part-3/986588.md?page=101)