Gay-Themed High School Play Sparks Va. Protests

[davidinalameda]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9115-2005Feb8.html

The Loudoun County students who staged a play over the weekend about a high school football star's homosexuality heard some gasps, along with expressions of support, during their play's two-day, modestly attended run at Ashburn's Stone Bridge High School.

Now, thanks to a high-decibel dust-up over freedom of expression and values, student writer-director Sabrina Audrey Jess's one-act play, "Offsides," has a dramatically expanded audience.

Del. Richard H. Black (R-Loudoun) e-mailed his supporters claiming that, in the play, "two male students engaged in a homosexual kiss onstage" and that public schools were "being used to promote a homosexual lifestyle." His son-in-law, Loudoun County Supervisor Mick Staton Jr. (R-Sugarland Run), followed up with a missive of his own, warning of the play's disturbing "indoctrination." On Sunday, activists blanketed Loudoun churches with fliers decrying the production.

[Andy_Stephenson]

1. Oh brother...

:eyes:

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Kudos to the young writer and the actors who dared to push the

envelope.

If that is pushing the envelope for HS plays these days.

Boy, do I feel old.

[UncleSepp]

3. "Promoting" ?

Sure, if "promoting" means "admitting the existence of". Wouldn't want to "indoctrinate" students to think that maybe there might be gay people out there - heaven forfend, even gay jocks! And that they might be - eek - people!

Barf barf barf barf BARF. And what is with that "if even one student decides to experiment and contracts HIV?" Yes, the HIV virus is in fact formed through a process of spontaneous generation when the hands, lips, behind or naughty bits of one male come in contact with those of another. It works in exactly the same way as the generation of rats from a few grains of wheat and a dirty shirt. Here we've got the Homosexual Question united neatly with the struggle against ungodly science.

I hate to say it but it reminds me of the denigration of quantum physics as Jewish science and the simultaneous contempt held for jazz and expressionism as Jewish degenerate art. You know when, you know where.

Please excuse my raving and rambling. This makes me too sick to even think coherently.

[displacedtexan]

4. This is what happens when the pig ignorant are in charge.

Those trying to become educated are always stifled by the undedicated.

Mediocrity rules.

[Ian David]

5. Ahh, but did they violate Virginia's new "Underpants Law"?

[Ian David]

6. Show your support!

<snip>

The school district had received about 150 e-mails about the play by yesterday afternoon, Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde Byard said.

The players, author and scores of residents showed up at Loudoun's school board meeting last night.

"I try to promote tolerance in a school where there is not enough among teenagers and am in turn flooded with the intolerance of their parents," Jess said, in comments that prompted a standing ovation among supporters.

"People who are negatively commenting on my play are proving my point," she said.
<snip>

See also:


http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/contactus.htm
NORTH STREET OFFICE
703-771-6400 Metro: 703-689-1600
102 North Street, NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
e-mail: [e-mail]

Drama Department:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE [phone]
Dr. Edgar B. Hatrick, Superintendent
Ned D. Waterhouse, Deputy Superintendent [phone]

Public Information Office [phone]
Wayde B. Byard, Public Information Officer
Katharine M. O'Shea, Assistant Public Information Officer

LCHS DRAMA PAGE

There will be a meeting for parents interested in participating in a Drama Boosters organization at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26 in the Drama room. Any interested parents can contact Mr. Wells at [e-mail] or Crystal Jackson at [e-mail].
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/schools/lchs/Activities/clubs/d2.htm




Drama Club Revises Season
LVHS Drama Club announces its 2004-05 season of plays which includes a one-act, a musical, Childrens Theatre, and Shakespeare.

Seniors Vanessa Smiley and Alex Seebeck, Drama Co-Chairs and producers of this year’s offerings, encourage the school and community to participate. Adults, students, and children are needed for three productions.


THE BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER is a new adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s hilarious children’s novel by the same name.

BYE BYE BIRDIE, the Strouss, Adams, Stewart musical, is about a teenage heartthrob named Conrad Birdie who is drafted into armed services.


THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Shakespeare’s delightful romantic comedy is set in the Moose River Lodge Bed & Breakfast of Yellville, Arkansas.
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/schools/lvhs/organizations/clubs/drama_club.htm



Loudoun County High School Drama Students
Placed 2nd at Virginia High School League State Play Competition

Drama students from Loudoun County High School captured second place in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Theater Festival on Monday, December 6th, in Charlottesville.

The Loudoun County students performed “Invisible Man,” written and directed by LCHS drama teacher John S. Wells. Sophomore Samantha Firetti was the assistant director for this production.
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/news/2004-2005/dec/lchs.htm


Tony & Nik Foundation Formed

A foundation to support drama in Loudoun County’s high schools has been established in memory of Tony Mason and Nik Pendola. Tony, 17, and Nik, 16, who were killed in an auto accident on March 27, 2004, were an integral part of Stone Bridge High School’s drama program.

After their death, donations in their memory allowed for several grants to graduating seniors involved with the drama program and for the purchase of theater equipment. The Tony & Nik Foundation’s mission is to offer lasting support for high school-level performing arts throughout Loudoun County.
http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/news/2004-2005/sept/tony_nik.htm



See also:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&tab=wn&ie=UTF-8&ncl=http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0205/205938.html

[Ian David]

7. My email to Louden County Schools.

We need to send at least 150 supportive emails to counter the 150 negative one's they've gotten so far!


Thank you for your courage and conviction.

In this climate where Fred Phelps stages anti-gay protests at the funeral of
Fred Rogers and James Dobson blames Spongebob Squarepants for turning children
gay, heroes like you are needed now more than ever.

You are teaching tolerance in Virginia, which has become ground-zero for the
forces of hate and bigotry. This is both necessary and brave.

And as usual, the Talibornagain have done their best to bring into the limelight and give greater exposure to that which they would rather suppress. They're not
geniuses, are they?

Please, keep up the good work. Be brave and persevere.

Just don't fall afoul of Virginia's new "Underwear Law."

You know, when I was growing-up, my parents used to make sure I finished all my
homeWORK before I was allowed to go out and PLAY.

Apparently Virginia legislators have the free time available to pass laws
against public display of underwear. I guess all their homework is done?


-----

In Germany they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up
because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a
trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a
Protestant.

Then they came for me--and by that time no one was left to speak up.

Martin Niemöller 1892-1984.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Niem%F6ller

[Ian David]

8. Kick

[Dark]

9. Seriously, don't these people have anything better to do? n/t

[xchrom]

10. sigh

[arwalden]

11. What's The Republican Fascination With Homosex?

Check out this quote from Delegate Black....

"Within our public schools, there is a tendency to encourage homosexual activity, to portray it in a cute or favorable light," Black said in an interview yesterday. "This is a considerable health hazard right now. If we encourage just one child to experiment and contract the HIV virus, then we have done an enormous disservice to our children."

But of course he has to repay his faith-based supporters with faith-based bigotry.