When Heather Workman's second-grade teacher asked her who was attending her parent-teacher conference, Workman gave an honest answer: her mom and her girlfriend.
"Life was different for me," Workman said. "I was straight raised in a gay world."
As she stood before an audience during Tuesday night's performance of "Silent," Workman said she had not realized how different her life was from her second-grade classmates.
"I was always raised that everybody was the same," she said. "I am straight, but I am part of a gay family."
Workman's monologue, "We Are Family," was a part of Proud Week, sponsored by Spectrum, Ball State's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight ally association. The week's events focus on raising student awareness of gay issues especially relating to the definition of family.
Junior Tabitha Rohrer said she agreed with Workman's thinking that everyone, whether gay or straight, is family. Rohrer said straight allies shouldn't be afraid to defend their gay friends.
"That's right, don't mess with my family," Rohrer said in agreement with Workman's ending monologue "We Are Family."
Sophomore Sarah Bradbury, who wrote many of the play's monologues and skits, said "Silent" was inspired by previous Spectrum events.
"I wanted to do something more dramatic," Bradbury said. "It was meant to raise awareness."
Bradbury performed the monologue "Lesbian Barbie" where she described how she told her mother that she was a lesbian.
"I couldn't tell her that I didn't want a wedding," Bradbury told the audience. "I couldn't even tell her it wasn't her fault."
Bradbury said her mother was what every traditional Barbie aspired to be: a wife, a mother. Meanwhile, Bradbury said she was manufacturing "Lesbian Barbie," a Barbie that can do amazing things.
"When I first wrote that for my creative writing class, I cried," Bradbury said. "It's hard to hear yourself tell that story. There's more emotion behind it."
Rohrer said she went to the play because it's important for straight allies to show their support.
"It's very important to put a face on the issues," Rohrer said.
Students can participate in the "Death of Homophobia" at 6 p.m. today at the University Green.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
