NC High School Cancels Play Featuring Same-Sex Couple

Students at a North Carolina high school are seeing red over their principal's decision to shut down their current production of "Almost, Maine," a romantic comedy by John Cariani that depicts multiple love stories, including one between two men.

According to local station Channel 9, students at Maiden High School in Catawba County had already begun rehearsing when the principal put the kibosh on their work, citing concerns from some parents and area churches. They say these folks are old-fashioned.

"There are still people here who don't want to move forward with the times. It's not surprising if that's what is going on with that production," said Savannah Harvell, who graduated from Maiden High School in 2009.

They're also mad because, according to a report on Gay Star News, one student said on Reddit that the theater department "already paid for the scripts and everything and now only have like two dollars left in their budget. They use the profits from the play to pay for the next production and now that won't be able to happen."

"Second of all, this is the 21st century, things like this shouldn't be happening," the student wrote. "There are gay people in the theatre department, ones I'm glad to call my friend, and their voices are being suppressed and that is not okay."

But the school's principal, Rob Bliss, said that the play was not appropriate for the students.

"Our faculty and staff are still in review of potential performances to be conducted by our students this fall," Bliss said. "At this time, no final decision has been made regarding whether and what drama performances are to be presented this fall.

"In regards to the request for students to perform the play 'Almost Maine,' careful review and consideration was given to the contents of this play," he continued. "The play contained sexually-explicit overtones and multiple sexual innuendos that are not aligned with our mission and educational objectives.

"As principal of Maiden High School, I have an obligation to ensure that all material, including drama performances is appropriate and educationally sound for students of all ages," wrote Bliss.

Students have started an online petition asking school leaders to, "Let us express ourselves like we love to do onstage and off!" It now has 231 signatures.