Nor did Kate Perry expect this when she composed her biggest musical hit, "I kissed a girl". As the title suggests, the song tells the story of a girl who, after drinking, kisses another girl.
Teacher Márcio Barrios, 25, from the public school system decided to use the aforementioned song in an English class for his students. According to the educator, the intention in using music was to teach a lesson about verbs in the past.
The management of the school, which is located in Brazlândia, a satellite city of Brasília, said that the song was vetoed because it advocates the use of alcoholic beverages ("I was so brave with the drink in my hand/ I lost my discretion", says an excerpt of music) and, therefore, unsuitable for students aged between 12 and 14.
The professor refutes the school's allegation and states that the real reason for disapproving the use of Kate Perry's song and her subsequent dismissal is due to the fact that the song addresses homosexuality. As is clear in the chorus: "I kissed a girl and I liked/The taste of her cherry lipstick."
Marcio Barris reveals to the Folha de São Paulo newspaper that they told him not to use the song "because of the theme and that parents might complain." The case of his dismissal gained attention in the media, because the professor was unable to get assignments to teach.
The school's director, Maria Danizete de Castro, said that the song "doesn't fit", as it encourages teenagers to drink. She justifies the teacher's dismissal because he did not follow orders and, only later, changed the song for another song. The school also took the case to the Regional Education Office, as a result of which Marcio Barris' contract was suspended. The school has the support of the Secretary of Education of the Federal District, José Luiz da Silva Valente.
Check out the music video that sparked all the controversy below:
