The Principal Who Canceled Rent Has a History of Not Caring About Gays

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HATE SCHOOL MUSICAL — Your harsh thoughts aimed at Corona del Mar High School’s principal Fal Asrani — who pulled the plug on the drama department’s Rent production because it was too gay and replaced it with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown — aren’t just warranted, but perhaps not harsh enough. The same school leader who doesn’t want students exposed to gay characters in a critically acclaimed musical appears to tolerate violence aimed at gays. When three senior guys uploaded a video to Facebook calling for the rape and murder of a lesbian classmate, all they got was a slap on the wrist.

A five-day suspension was all Asrani threw at the guys. Notes one-time Queerty contributor Ryan J. Davis:

The horrified parents of the girl quickly notified the school’s administration of the video and were deeply troubled at their response. The boys were suspended for five days. Earlier in the school year, these boys were suspended for two months for “streaking.” Apparently Asrani believes that seeing someone’s bare butt is vastly worse than threats of murder and rape. Go figure.

The parents of the girl who was threatened by these gents have sent this letter to Asrani about her canceling Rent:

…your administration has sent a clear message that threatening sexual violence is a minor offense punishable by 5 days of suspension (though “streaking” is punishable by two months of suspension); that “gay bashing” (as was depicted throughout the Facebook video) is also merely a minor infraction and one that the school will not acknowledge (and thereby tacitly endorses); and that any attempt by the school community to address these issues in a positive and thoughtful way–a way that would encourage dialogue and understanding (i.e. producing a play like RENT), will be soundly squashed. The gay students who daily brave CDMHS, along with the young women who endure all forms of sexual harassment while you look the other way, deserve more from their school’s administration.

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