Ohio University Gays and Greeks Develop Play

Gays team up with greeks to eliminate group divides
4/14/2010 11:53:00 PM	Email this article • Print this article
Actors and actresses in Gays, Greeks and Grape Juice perform in Baker University Center Theatre last night as part of Pride Week. (John Nero PICTURE EDITOR) Callie Driehorst • For The Post • cd234008@ohio.edu An audience packed into Baker University Center Theatre last night to watch Gays, Greeks and Grape Juice, a play about two distinct groups of friends. The performance was part of Pride Week, which is sponsored by the Ohio University LGBT Center and was funded by the Greek Programming Council. About 220 people attended Gays, Greeks and Grape Juice starring Joseph Klocke. The plot centered on how a group of greek friends and a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered friends worked together to write a play. In the process, the students not only realize how inaccurate stereotypes can be but also that what they share in common is what they had thought divided them. Dustin Page, a graduate student studying college student personnel, wrote and directed Gays, Greeks and Grape Juice. Page said that although previous programs have tried to connect Greek Life and the LGBT community, attendance had been low. "We're hoping to bridge the gap between the two groups by sharing what we have in common with them," he said. Chauncey Jackson, a senior studying political science and former Student Trustee, said he wanted to see the interactions between the two polarized groups. "Even though I'm non-greek, it's good to see them coming together for greater good. ... It's important for OU to be a safe place for all students," he said. Mickey Hart, director of the LGBT Center, said that problems arise when people rely on stereotypes when making judgments. "The lesson of the play is that we rely on stereotypes too broadly ... you really have to be critical of any form of stereotype," he said. "... Some people fit stereotypes, but not everyone does. ... It's important to draw on those stereotypes to point out how false they are." Rosalyn Robinson, a junior studying organizational communication, attended the play because of her involvement in Greek Life. "Fraternities are just seen as so masculine and sororities are seen as so feminine. It's a common misconception that gay people wouldn't belong. There's no perceived in-between and that's sad," she said. Page said the most important thing is the LGBT community has allies - people who support the LGBT cause - at Ohio University. "If greeks can be allies, anyone can," he said. http://thepost.ohiou.edu/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=31302&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&S=1