WON'T PLAY GAY

Theater Instructor Sues University For Making Her Attend Gay Theater Shows

Though the “theater gay” is a well-known stereotype, it seems that a Christian instructor at a Texas university isn’t so okay with gay theater.

According to the Southeast Texas Record, Linda Ozmun has filed suit against Lamar University and Judith Sebesta, chair of the Department of Theater and Dance.

Says the Record:

According to the lawsuit, Ozmun is a faculty member of the theater department. In 2010, the department sought to bring in Tim Miller, an artist who advocates for homosexual marriage, to perform a show centered on homosexuality. However, his show was cancelled when the community complained.

In response to the cancellation, several students organized a show called “Coming Out Collective,” which Ozmun refused to attend.

When Ozmun received her annual review in March 2011, Sebesta included her failure to attend the event as part of her evaluation and gave her a grade of “unacceptable,” the suit states.

She filed a grievance, which was returned and noted “unheard,” the suit states.

In the fall 2011 semester, Lamar brought Miller back to perform his show “Glory Box” and conduct a workshop. According to her suit, Ozmun asked to be excused from attending the show but was threatened with disciplinary action if she failed to attend.

Now, while it is delicious to think about the irony of a teacher in such a typically gay department being so unsettled by the gays, Queerty believes that teachers have the right to be as prudish as their students, should they choose to be. But it is kind of annoying when an academic type, who’s supposed to be open-minded, refuses to go see a show like Miller’s?

Miller already gets enough flack from conservatives and government bureaucrats—shouldn’t fellow theater academics have his back?

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated