There seems to be no end of trouble concerning gay and lesbian issues in Virginia, particularly in its schools. Just last week, we reported on a Fairfax County school board member’s epistle asking schools to invite “ex-gay” speakers to talk to students. This week, we move to Loudoun County, where a gay-themed play, including a kiss between two male actors, is causing an uproar.

Once again, irate officials dashed to their keyboards to register their displeasure. This time it was a family act, as Del. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun) and his son-in-law Loudon County Supervisor Mick Stanton Jr. sent out emails concerning the play’s attempt at “indoctrination.” Flyers were distributed in churches, and the whole thing culminated in a tense and crowded school board meeting. Black was heard to opine in an interview that schools today tend to “encourage homosexual activity, to portray it in a cute or favorable light.” Well, that’s what comes of too much Will & Grace Or maybe it’s Ellen’s fault.

The author of the play got a standing ovation at the board meeting when she said, “I try to promote tolerance in a school where there is not enough among teenagers and am in turn flooded with the intolerance of their parents.” Fruits, in the case the teenaged heterosexual variety, don’t fall too far from the trees, we suppose. Since the catalyst for all of this was a 20 minute play about a football hero coming out as gay, we’d like to suggest as an alternative a screening of the movie But I’m A Cheerleader. After all, it features RuPaul and reparative therapy. That should make everybody happy. Right?