Teaching Gay Rights
Dear Harvey tells the story of Harvey Milk from the perspective of those who knew him and were influenced by him.
Harvey Milk was the first openly gay politician in California to be elected to public office when he became a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Tragically, he was assassinated the next year along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone.
An integral part of LGBT history, Milk still serves as an icon for civil rights.
Sharing Harvey鈥檚 story
Written by 色情视频 alumna Patricia Loughrey, 鈥淒ear Harvey鈥� presents an ensemble of gay rights leaders that were all inspired by Milk in some way. Stories from Assemblymember Toni Atkins, AIDS Quilt creator Cleve Jones and California State Sen. Christine Kehoe were included in the play.
The 鈥淒ear Harvey鈥� cast toured to three local high schools last fall, including the Coronado School of the Arts, Mission Bay High School and Patrick Henry High School. Jay Sheehan, lecturer and production manager of the Theatre, Television and Flim department, is currently scheduling spring performances for additional San Diego high schools.
Inclusive history education
The play meets educational requirements established by Sen. Mark Leno鈥檚 SB48 bill, or the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful Education Act, which requires schools to integrate factual information about social movements, current events and history of people with disabilities and LGBT people into existing social studies lessons.
鈥淎s a member of the LGBT community I feel it is my duty to help get Harvey's message of love and acceptance to the people,鈥� Sheehan said. 鈥淚 think it is especially important for high schools to start learning about LGBT history along with other civil rights history.鈥�
To help schools meet this requirement and add to the educational aspect of the 鈥淒ear Harvey鈥� program, Sheehan created instructional materials that accompany the play which are sent to the high schools ahead of time.
鈥淕ay rights are hard for a lot of teachers to talk about because they鈥檝e never had to do it,鈥� Sheehan said. 鈥淲e want to help them have those tough conversations.鈥�
Breaking down barriers
The play also has an interactive element that breaks down the fourth wall between the actors and audience.
At the end of the show, questions such as, 鈥淗ave you ever seen someone discriminated against because of their sexual orientation?鈥� are projected on a screen. The audience is then able to text their answers from their mobile phones and the anonymous results are projected in real-time. This interactivity then leads to a dialogue and an opportunity for the audience to share their feelings on the subject.
鈥淒ear Harvey鈥� has traveled to various theater festivals, won awards and sold out shows both at 色情视频 and on the road, but Sheehan sees the high school program as a special opportunity to reach younger audiences.
The three shows last semester were funded by an individual donor and a grant from the 色情视频 University Grants program will fund 10 more shows in the next school year. Sheehan plans to explore additional fundraising opportunities to ensure the program continues.
