Opera North Will Continue Word Queer replaced by Gay: For the Children

The community of Bridlington knew Lee Hall's opera would be an extravaganza. After all, it featured 300 school children and another hundred adults. But, I'm sure they never imagined the international attention the production would attract would be marred by claims of homophobia.

Hall, the writer behind the widely successful Billy Elliot, was commissioned by Opera North to put on a new production in Bridlington called Beached. After months of rehearsal Hall quickly saw his creative license dwindle away. The school district asked Hall to remove references to a gay character. They claimed the language wasn't suitable to the young people in the community. Hall refused and instead cancelled the production.

A myriad of negative media ensued for both Opera North and Bridlington, but it seems they have come to a compromise. Hall has agree to green light the show, but with one concession: the word "queer" used once will be replaced by "gay."

What first read: "Of course I'm queer/That's why I left here/So if you infer/That I prefer/A lad to a lass/And I'm working class/I'd have to concur."

now reads: "Of course I'm gay/That's why I left here/So if you infer/That I prefer/A lad to a lass/And I'm working class/I'd have to concur."

The school is happy with the changes and denies they were motivated by homophobia.by Ramon Johnson of all.about.com