Hillsborough County’s public high schools will now only permit students to read specific excerpts of Shakespeare that do not include suggestive or sexual content.

The decision is a response to the Parental Rights in Education Act, often dubbed the “don’t say gay” law by its opponents. Signed into law by Governor Ron Desantis, the legislation restricts discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms and curtails materials with “pornography or obscene depictions of sexual conduct”.

Regarding plays like Romeo and Juliet, which hints at the young lovers having pre-marital relations, Joseph Cool, a literacy teacher at Gaither High School, told the Tampa Bay Times: “There’s some raunchiness in Shakespeare. Because that’s what sold tickets during his time.”

He added: “I think the rest of the nation – no, the world, is laughing at us. Taking Shakespeare in its entirety out because the relationship between Romeo and Juliet is somehow exploiting minors is just absurd.”

The district said in a statement: “We have not excluded Shakespeare from our high school curriculum. Students will still have the physical books to read excerpts in class. Curriculum guides are continually reviewed and refined throughout the year to align with state standards and current law.”