Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

“Another American: Asking and Telling” Theatrical Performance Benefits SLDN

Earlier this week, members of the SLDN staff and dozens of our supporters attended a benefit performance of Marc Wolf’s “Another American: Asking and Telling” at the DR2 Theatre in New York City. The show was conceived, written and performed by Wolf, who was moved to create the play after reading through the 1993 Congressional hearings concerning gays in the military.

The one-man show features nearly two dozen characters that were condensed from more than 150 interviews with straight, gay, and lesbian service members (from WWII veterans to anonymous active duty personnel), as well as elected officials, judges, lawyers, and other professionals. The wide range of views expressed by his “cast” of characters juxtaposes opinions on both sides of the debate, and connects personal experiences related to DADT and gay and lesbian service. There are veterans who served in silence, active duty personnel, those opposed to gays in the military, lawyers, a middle-aged Midwestern lesbian couple, and a mother whose son was killed by fellow soldiers for being gay.

While members of the audience may not have had opinions on either side of the debate, they were nonetheless diverse. On the night of the sold-out performance, which benefited SLDN, there were theatre-goers young and old, men and women, service members and civilians. I sat between a former Wall Street trader and an arts enthusiast, and behind playwright, author, and public health advocate, Larry Kramer. Kramer, who is probably best-known as an LGBT rights activist and co-founder of the HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations Gay Men’s Health Crisis and ACT-UP, enjoyed Wolf’s performance very much and stayed after to say as much to Wolf. It was truly amazing to see just how much a celebrated playwright such as himself appreciated the show that night.

“Another American” continually supports the effort to repeal DADT by shedding light on the issue; and has now even provided SLDN with additional financial support.

Attending the “Another American” is just one example of how you can support the important work of SLDN! We have other fundraising events scheduled this fall in Atlanta (Nov. 13), Los Angeles, and San Diego, and are always open to create new fundraising initiatives in communities across the country.

Let’s keep the momentum going. To find out more about our fundraising events, go to www.sldn.org/events. To make a personal contribution, visit www.sldn.org/contribute.

If you’re in New York and would like to see just how amazing Wolf’s performance is for yourself, you’re in luck! “Another American: Asking and Telling” runs on Mondays and has been extended through Oct. 4 at the DR2 Theatre, 103 East 15th Street, Manhattan; (212) 239-6200; www.dr2theatre.com.

08-19-10 By Josh Tjaden, Major Gifts Officer |