Annual show raises questions about sexuality and violence

Each Valentine’s Day, many communities and college campuses participate in “V-Day,” a global movement to stop violence against women and girls.

Productions of “The Vagina Monologues” are central to this campaign, and raise awareness and funding to combat sexual violence.

This week, Oregon State University is hosting three performances of the play, with most of the proceeds going to the local Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence.

“I really enjoy them. I think it’s very empowering to see women get up on stage and talk about things we’re not supposed to talk about,” said Molly Gray, an OSU senior majoring in women’s studies.

Mary Fowler, a senior sociology major, participated in the show two years ago at Ashland’s Southern Oregon University.

She delivered the monologue “I Was There,” in which a woman describes the experience of watching her daughter give birth.

“It was amazing. It really was empowering. Just seeing the variety of women from the community up there on stage giving performances that they connected with was pretty incredible,” Fowler said.

While some see the production as a positive vehicle for exploring sexuality and helping fight violence against women, others think the play promotes the very actions its organizers condemn.

“We agree with the message. We want to end violence against women. But we just think there are more constructive and less vulgar ways to do it,” said Jessica Montgomery, a freshman majoring in political science and Chinese language.

“The play, if looked at in a certain way, could be seen as promoting violence,” said Lyndsey Shaver, a sophomore business administration major.

Shaver organized an OSU branch of V-Day Unveiled, a nationwide initiative countering the V-Day Campaign.

Shaver’s group on Facebook.com has about 71 members, both male and female OSU students.

On Monday, members of the group staffed a booth on the MU Quad encouraging students to look more carefully at how “Monologues” really portrays women, men and sexual violence. They’ll continue their efforts today and Wednesday.

Jodi Herbert, a sophomore majoring in health administration, objected in particular to a monologue describing how an adult woman gave alcohol to and performed sexual acts on a minor.

In the play, that girl, now an adult, looks back on the experience as positive, not as statutory rape, Herbert said.

The group also takes issue with a monologue where women yell a term for female genitalia that many find offensive.

Shaver and Montgomery worry that a scene talking about how unpleasant pap smears are, without mentioning their role in detecting and preventing cervical cancer, could deter women from taking care of their reproductive health.

New York playwright Eve Ensler wrote “Monologues” after interviewing more than 200 women from various backgrounds about their sexuality and past sexual experiences.

The production debuted as a one-woman show in 1996, and has since been translated into more than 35 languages and performed around the world.

Last year, more than 2,500 V-Day benefit events took place. In the past seven years, organizers estimate, V-Day has raised more than $30 million.

The OSU productions, which are organized by OSU Peer Health Advocates, feature students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Corvallis community.

Two performances were offered Monday, and the show runs again tonight 8 p.m.

An informational fair with representatives from CARDV, OSU Peer Health Advocates, the OSU Women’s Center and Pipe Dream Theater will take place one hour before the production.

Chase Dannen, a senior exercise and sport science major, is a member of the OSU V-Day Unveiled group.

He’s seen “Monologues” twice.

“It thought that it portrayed men as vulgar, evil, disgusting, less than women, perverted rapists. Just pretty much trash,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a good way to promote healthy relationships between men and women. There are better ways to promote ending violence against women.”

However, Nancy O’Mara, executive director of CARDV, doesn’t see it that way.

“We support women’s rights to rejoice in their sexuality, and speak out against the violence that has happened to them. I think ‘The Vagina Monologues’ does a good job of both celebrating women’s sexuality and speaking the truth about the violence women have endured,” O’Mara said.

At a glance

What: “The Vagina Monologues”

When: 8 p.m. today

Where: LaSells Stewart Center, 875 S.W. 26th St.

Tickets: Advance tickets are $6 for students, and $8 for general admission. Tickets are available on campus at the Memorial Union Program Council and Student Involvement offices, or off-campus at Grass Roots Books & Music. Tickets are also available at the door for $10. Proceeds go to CARDV and other programs helping end sexual violence against women and children.

Information: To learn more about the V-Day Campaign, see www.vday.org. For more about V-Day Unveiled, see the Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute’s Web site at www.cblpi.org.

Mary Ann Albright covers higher education. She can be reached at maryann.albright@lee.net or 758-9518.