I remember when my sister was at Troy HS they didn’t let the theatre program perform Laramie Project which is a play about Matthew Shepard, i’m disappointed that the district continues to ignore this story when it is so important.

by actively ignoring the story of Matthew Shepard, you’re sending a message to all LQBTQ+ students in the district that their stories don’t matter. We need to learn to spread Love and not hate.

Love is Love.

As an alumni of FUHS and CSUF Music programs, it was incredibly disheartening to hear about this. In high school, having opportunities to connect with the greater community and local colleges were formative to my education, both musically and interpersonally. It is sad to hear this has been taken from current students.

As a current Cal State Fullerton student and alumnus of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, I feel strongly disappointed that students were prohibited from participating in an event mourning the loss of an innocent human being that they rehearsed and expected to perform in. The fact that Matthew Shepard identified as gay sends a powerful message to LGBTQ high school students in the district that the local community does not accept them for who they are. Considering that I have many positive memories from high school, I strongly request an apology and explanation for this upsetting incident that tarnishes the reputation and public image of a school district that I hold in high respect.

Dishearted and disappointed by the actions and contradict the district's mission statement. I am an alumni and frequent the performances at these campus. The biggest disappointment is the opportunities taken from these students and performers, but these actions sent a louder message. These students will not forget and neither will the fullerton community and voters.

I'm very sad and disappointed in the actions taken by Fullerton Joint Union High School District. As a CSUF student and campus advocate, these activities are critical for community - and I personally get what it's like for schools to cancel these types of things at the last minute. This is horrendous behavior, and shows a lack of care by FJUHSD to its students.

Art is a powerful tool which allows us to share stories, present ideas, and to give voice to those without. This piece is powerful and tells a real story about a young man brutally murdered only because he had the audacity to be born gay. Let students explore art, explore stories, and learn about real people, real history, and have conversations about it. What is harmful about a conversation or sharing of a piece of art?

I went to Troy High School from 2011-2015, where the district did not initially let our theatre department do The Laramie Project. It took a letter and a petition to finally, reluctantly, let us do it. However, at Fullerton High School, their theatre department was able to do shows like Cabaret and Sweeney Todd without the district batting an eye. The district is okay with high schoolers doing shows related to sex and violence, but not about showcasing the struggles the LGBTQ+ community deals with? Representation is immensely important to the arts, especially for young people.

Any opportunity to sing, to perform, and to connect with fellow musicians and potential colleagues on a human level is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity; and that opportunity was yanked like a rug from underneath these young musicians. Considering the hard work all of them have input, transparency is imperative. Most importantly, the fact that many members of our choirs and citizens of our communities indentify with the LGBTQIA+ community makes this missed opportunity incredibly disheartening. As a Troy High Concert Choir alumnus, it is devastatingly heartbreaking to know that this opportunity was stripped away from them; also, as a returning college student, the opportunity to have been able to sing with the new generation of my alma mater would’ve filled my heart. I’m positive this experience would have made them feel the same way.

As a queer music educator, it is more than disheartening that these students weren’t able to participate in this collaborative project. For those young musicians, this would have been an opportunity to deepen their already established passion for choral music and find community in their peers. If a flaw in paperwork is the reason for their absence, something that could be corrected so easily, it is inexcusable. If homophobia is the reason for their absence, it is shameful. My heart is with the many LGBTQIA+ students in this program who needed this message of hope and love at such a pivotal moment in their growth as young people.

Make it right.

As someone who identifies within the community, and moved to CSUF specifically for the in inclusivity and positive environment, it appalls to hear what happened. We need a explanation and an apology immediately and deserve it as well.

This project would have meant worlds to me if I were back in High School. To have a technicality be a strong factor that took away the work I put into a piece of music, it would have crushed me at their age.

I am extremely disappointed that the high school students were denied the opportunity to share and grow their skills, talent, and personal experiences. This was a wonderful opportunity for a community experience that was taken from the students after weeks of preparation. The school district can and should do better.