Public School Drama Policy

Overview: In February, 2005, a student written and directed play was performed at Stone Bridge High School. The play, “Offsides,” explored the experience of a high school football star who came to the realization that he was gay. The Eastern Loudoun Delegate at the time, Dick Black, along with other elected officials and local representatives of national anti-gay organizations, orchestrated a protest that embroiled the community for months. The outcome was a policy governing theatrical presentations adopted by the Loudoun County School Board.

School Board documents

Policy (§ 8-42)
Regulations (§ 8-42 reg)

Editorials and Letters to the Editor

Revisit school play policy | November 16, 2005 | By Jerry Hyman
Trust the Teachers | June 22, 2005 | By Ileana Collins
Good and Ugly | June 22, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
Atmosphere of love | June 21, 2005 | By Rev. R. Don Prange
Sensible Policy on Plays | June 8, 2005 | By David Weintraub
Part of a Dramatic Tradition | June 5, 2005 | By Bill Gorondner
Stop the Hypocrisy | June 1, 2005 | By Mary Simpson
Opinions Differ, Intolerance Offends | May 6, 2005 | By David Weintraub
Curb Censorship | May 5, 2005 | By Ginger Walker
Divisive family values | May 3, 2005 | By Susan Ernst
Switching Parties | April 28, 2005 | By Tim Buchholz
Censoring schools | April 13, 2005 | By Jeri McGiverin, Mainstream Loudoun
Tolerance Takes a Beating | March 13, 2005 | By Sarah Fulton
Use energies elsewhere | February 23, 2005 | By Renee Dean
Tolerance a Christian Value | February 20, 2005 | By Mike Brady
Good job, Mr. Person | February 16, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
Insight and maturity | February 16, 2005 | By Jeri McGiverin
That play | February 9, 2005 | Loudoun Easterner

Equality Loudoun reports

Don’t poke the bear | March 9, 2006
It still comes down to the heckler’s veto. | July 15, 2005
This is a show you won’t want to miss. | June 14, 2005
Another complaint from Mr. Delgaudio | June 10, 2005
As we predicted . . | June 7, 2005
It’s not over yet. | June 2, 2005
It was late and they were tired. | May 26, 2005
Is it possible for reason to prevail? | May 25, 2005
More “found art” from Mr. Delgaudio: Test your knowledge. | May 20, 2005
Facts are inconvenient things . . | April 11, 2005
Your voice needed at School Board meeting | April 8, 2005
Dick Black’s reply to a student about “Offsides” | February 9, 2005
Oppose Censorship – Support Our Students | February 7, 2005
Dick Black’s email about “Offsides” | February 7, 2005

Public Statements

Statements to the School Board in support of freedom of expression | March 8, 2005

Media

SCHOOL BOARD’S PLAY POLICY ON LOCAL TV | July 19, 2005 | Adelphia channel 23

School Board adopts theater policy | June 15, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
Schools move closer to theater policy | May 31, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
School Board confronts free speech in schools | May 25, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
‘Offsides” author takes her work to church | April 26, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror
“Kiss” riles and rallies students, parents | February 9, 2005 | Loudoun Times-Mirror

Board sets policy for high school plays | June 15, 2005 | Loudoun Easterner
Debate over a play continues in county | April 13, 2005 | Loudoun Easterner
Scene in school play shocks area officials | February 9, 2005 | Loudoun Easterner

Drama teachers navigating new policy | October 15, 2005 | Loudoun Connection
Censoring School Plays | April 13, 2005 | Loudoun Connection
Play Confronts Rumors | February 24, 2005 | Loudoun Connection
Protests Raised Against Play | February 17, 2005 | Loudoun Connection
Stone Bridge Play Offends Some | February 10, 2005 | Loudoun Connection

School Board Finalizes Play Policy | June 15, 2005 | Leesburg Today
Draft School Performance Restrictions Spark Objections | April 14, 2005 | Leesburg Today
Proposed School Board Policy Would Have Banned Play | April 11, 2005 | Leesburg Today
School Board Urged Not To Censor Students | March 10, 2005 | Leesburg Today
School Board To Study Play Policy; Principal Defends Student Work | February 10, 2005 | Leesburg Today
High School Play Sparks Objections | Feb 08, 2005 | Leesburg Today

Board Adopts Policy On Plays | June 16, 2005 | Washington Post
School Panel Agrees on Plays Policy | May 29, 2005 | Washington Post
Mincing Words Now Part of Role For Teen Actors | May 23, 2005 | Washington Post
Drama Lesson | May 16, 2005 | Washington Post
School Board Considering Guidelines For Plays | April 10, 2005 | Washington Post
Gay-Themed High School Play Sparks Va. Protests | February 9, 2005 | Washington Post

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