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Discrimination, homophobia and teen suicide were the topics of the day when Colby associate professor Lynn Mikel Brown came to speak as part of The Women in Curriculum’s weekly Fall Lunch Series on Wednesday afternoon.
The Women in Curriculum, or WIC, brought Brown in to discuss “The Ugly Duckling: A Dramatic Response to Homophobia in Maine’s High Schools,” a play written by Carolyn Gage over 20 years ago and recently performed at Colby College. The playwright herself, Gage, could not make her scheduled appearance at UMaine due to medical complications, but Brown, a collaborator on the project and a driving force behind getting the show on stage, was in attendance.
In addition to being a professor of education, human development and women’s studies, Brown also co-founded a Waterville-based group called Hardy Girls, Healthy Women. The organization is intended to give girls a place where they can express their feelings and be supported.
Brown and playwright Gage first met when Gage contacted Brown to criticize a work Brown had done entitled “Girl Fight,” which she thought presented a bad depiction of young lesbians. After meeting and discussing Browns work, the two put their differences aside and decided to work toward a common goal of getting “The Ugly Duckling” on stage. The play was cast by putting out an ad for young women of “any build, orientation or race” as a means to get a diverse cast. Despite their aggressive casting techniques aimed toward attracting a unique cast, Brown and Gage received very little backlash from the community.
In a state where the teen suicide rate for 15- to 18-year-olds is 72 percent higher than the New England average, Gage and Brown felt that a play dealing with suicide, as well as sexual orientation and acceptance, was not only a good idea, but also a social responsibility.
The play focuses on 13 girls at a summer camp. It’s a story of cliques, outsiders and girls exploring their orientation as analogies to what happens to young women every day all over America. The play follows the plight of a rebellious older camper who is misunderstood in her action and shunned by others. It also follows an 8-year-old girl exploring her feelings, and trying to decide for herself what is right amongst a group that doesn’t value individuals exploring and thinking for themselves. The story’s message is most clear when a confused young girl contemplates suicide, feelings brought on because of her status as an outsider.
“It’s a powerful story that adults need to pay attention to in kids,” said Brown.
During the lunch session, much attention was given to the Nov. 8 state referendum, especially Question 1, an amendment to the Human Rights Act, which threatens to repeal the rights given to state citizens that prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, credit, accommodations and education. The bill only passed in March and already is being challenged. Brown, as well as other members of WIC, stated their support for a strong ‘no’ vote in November, which would keep the newly passed laws in place.
Stephen Marks of the sociology department informed those present that the faculty senate is working to pass a resolution to support the Maine Won’t Discriminate policy. A vote was to be taken later Wednesday.
Bangor Daily News