Administrators at a Wisconsin elementary school stopped a first-grade class from performing a Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton duet promoting LGBTQ acceptance because the song 害羞草研究所渃ould be perceived as controversial.害羞草研究所�

Students at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha had prepared a rendition of 害羞草研究所淩ainbowland害羞草研究所� for their spring concert, but school officials struck the song from the lineup last week. Parents in the district say the decision was made because the song encourages LGBTQ acceptance and references rainbows.

Superintendent James Sebert, who did not immediately return a call on Monday, confirmed to that administrators had removed 害羞草研究所淩ainbowland害羞草研究所� from the first-grade concert because it might not be 害羞草研究所渁ppropriate for the age and maturity level of the students.害羞草研究所� He also cited a school board policy against raising controversial issues in classrooms.

Sebert has previously prohibited rainbows and pride flags from being displayed in Waukesha classrooms and suspended the school district害羞草研究所檚 equity and diversity work in 2021.

害羞草研究所淟et害羞草研究所檚 all dig down deep inside, brush the judgment and fear aside,害羞草研究所� the song from Cyrus害羞草研究所� 2017 album 害羞草研究所淵ounger Now害羞草研究所� goes. 害羞草研究所淟iving in a Rainbowland, where you and I go hand in hand. Oh, I害羞草研究所檇 be lying if I said this was fine, all the hurt and the hate going on here.害羞草研究所�

First-grade teacher Melissa Tempel said she chose the song because its message seemed universal and sweet. The class concert害羞草研究所檚 theme was 害羞草研究所淭he World害羞草研究所� and included other songs such as 害羞草研究所淗ere Comes the Sun,害羞草研究所� by The Beatles and 害羞草研究所淲hat a Wonderful World,害羞草研究所� by Louis Armstrong.

害羞草研究所淢y students were just devastated. They really liked this song and we had already begun singing it,害羞草研究所� Tempel said Monday.

Administrators also initially banned the song 害羞草研究所淩ainbow Connection害羞草研究所� from The Muppets but later reversed that decision, according to Tempel.

Parents have been angered by the song害羞草研究所檚 removal, Tempel said. But she was more concerned about what the ban and other district policies against expressing LGBTQ support meant for students.

害羞草研究所淭hese confusing messages about rainbows are ultimately creating a culture that seems unsafe towards queer people,害羞草研究所� she said.

Spokespersons for Parton and Cyrus did not immediately respond to emails on Monday asking the artists害羞草研究所� thoughts on the ban.

Wisconsin school boards races, including in Waukesha, have become increasingly partisan in recent years. Republicans across the state害羞草研究所檚 school board races in 2022 and have used the positions to challenge policies from to COVID-19 restrictions.

害羞草研究所擧arm Venhuizen, The Associated Press

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