“LGBTQIA” was much more than a label at the 3rd annual Queer Monologues, a showcase of pieces written and performed by Union students in Old Chapel this past Friday and Saturday. Each monologue focused on queer identities or issues relating to the queer community. Before an audience of students, staff and community members, two narrators stood under spotlights and introduced a variety of thought provoking performances.
At the beginning of the show, the two narrators emphasized that while there is a dark history of violence against LGBTQIA individuals (and for some, that violence continues), the word “queer” need not be associated with danger but with strength and hope.
The following monologues presented diverse identities and perspectives, as well as reflecting on popular concepts of queerness. The first monologue brought attention to transgender, non-binary and intersex identities by pointing out that Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” (the inspiration for this show) mostly portrayed women, and therefore didn’t represent all people with vaginas, since genitalia doesn’t necessarily equate to gender.
The next monologue also questioned commonly held misconceptions by presenting a drag queen who freely admitted to being a man and who broke down stereotypes associated with bisexuality.
Many of the monologues focused on coming to terms with queer identities whether through relationships or through coming out. Although these are common themes in queer accounts, the stories presented were far from typical.
Attraction and companionship were presented in loving and humorous detail. The coming-out stories showed that the process of revealing one’s sexuality is anything but simple, that it is one of inner conflict and uncertainty. These monologues were often directed towards family and friends, asking that those close to the speakers open their minds and embrace the speakers’ true selves.
The show ended with a hopeful answer that although queer individuals might facerejection from the families into which they were born, they could make new ones within the supportive LGBTQIA community.
The Queer Monologues were begun two years ago as a way to shine a light on queer identities through the lived experiences of students. Each year since then, all members of the Union community are welcome to submit a monologue (with the writer’s name or anonymously), to perform a monologue, or both. With the writer’s permission, their monologue goes into a collection of pieces and can be performed again in future years.
Director Jess Gilbert ’18 summed up the purpose and impact of the monologues: “The Queer Monologues were created as a means of sharing the voices of Union College that are not usually heard. They serve as a way for Union’s queer community to share their stories and experiences, and, I think, helps people connect with others, and realize that this campus isn’t as homogeneous as it sometimes appears to be. The performances have been successful every year, and I’d like to think that this event, along with Union Pride in general, is helping turn Union into a more welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Through their honest and engaging voices, Union’s queer community has widened perspectives and promoted acceptance.
The cast of the Queer Monologues included Annika Eberle ‘20, Eva Erickson ‘21, Angel Flores ‘20, Sam Fogarty ‘20, William Garner ‘18, Jess Gilbert ‘18, Clara Iodice ‘21 and Sarah Tritt ‘20. The show included works written by alumnae Sam Bailey, Kathryn Evans and Kylie Gorski.