the heartland

Culture Clashes Continue in the Once Quiet Town of Wasilla

The choir at Wasilla High School, alma mater of luminaries like Levi Johnston, of course, was barred from singing the 1975 Queen hit “Bohemian Rhapsody” at graduation, after parents complained about the sexual orientation of Queen singer-songwriter Freddie Mercury. “The whole thing was ridiculous,” a student said. However, there’s good news: The principal backed down after a smart student contacted a gay and lesbian organization in Anchorage for help. And so, at Wasilla High School’s 2011 graduation ceremony, the choir will be belting out “Bohemian Rhapsody,” edited to remove lyrics about murder. (And we quote: “Mama, just killed a man.”) While some Wasilla parents may still be homophobic, the senior class felt like “Bohemian Rhapsody” really “defined” their student body, one senior explained, and that is progress. [Frontiersman via Newser]

Culture Clashes Continue in the Once Quiet Town of Wasilla