The theatrical proposal of the THOC originally did not talk about "boy who loves another boy", but about "boy who wants to be a girl" and "girl who wants to be a boy".
In relation to the issue of primary school pupils attending a theatre performance, in addition to yesterday's announcement and taking into account public comment and observations, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth should clarify and inform about the actual facts and what any interested party should be aware of.
What was included in the adaptation of Jules Verne's classic play "Around the World in 80 Days" and was of concern to the Theatre Approval Committee was not, from the outset, the phrase "can a boy love a boy?"
The adaptation proposed for viewing by elementary school students included the question: "Can a boy want to be a girl and a girl want to be a boy?" This was the question that was to be addressed to the audience, i.e. the pupils.
Therefore, the real question is whether it is appropriate for children aged 5, 6, 7 and 8 to be asked such questions.
An additional question is what relevance such a gender reflection has to this classic work of world literature. Of course, artistic fluency can also be recognized for such reflections and adaptations in a theatrical performance. But the question remains as to whether such a theatrical performance should be aimed at an audience of children under the age of 12.
For anyone interested, we republish the detailed note of what took place, to make it clear that the issue was not whether "a boy can love another boy", but that the performance, the whole proposal and the related understandings presented some problems.
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