Security Concerns Change Gay Jesus Play

Tarleton State University in Texas has made changes to the start time and audience composition of a play that portrays Jesus as gay in response to security worries.

The Terrence McNally play Corpus Christi was to be performed Saturday at 4 p.m. on the campus in Stephenville, about 70 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Critics assailed the play as blasphemous.

According to the Associated Press, a news release provided Thursday "says the student-produced play will now start at 8 a.m. Saturday. A private audience of invited guests and relatives of the cast will be the only people allowed to watch the play, the school said."

The statement from TSU said the school "has a responsibility to provide a safe and secure educational environmental for students, faculty, staff and visitors."