Students protest ban of Vagina Monologues

A group of Gonzaga students showed their stance by sitting down Friday.

In response to the recent ban of the on-campus production of "The Vagina Monologues," supporters of the play protested the decision with a sit-in outside of Crosby Student Center.

Students said they hoped to gain attention and change through the sit-in. "The more we're visible, the more it's in their face – that this decision is not the right one," junior Drew Pollom said. "At the end of the day, we want ‘The Vagina Monologues' shown on campus."   

Senior Ian Sullivan, a student coordinator of the play on Gonzaga's campus, also said he hopes to raise awareness through the sit-in. "It shows the student response to the banning of the Monologues," Sullivan said. "We're not happy and we're going to make sure everyone knows about it."

With more than 50 students present at the sit-in throughout the day, along with other supporters trickling in and out, their statement was hard to miss.

"It's important for students to come together and show the support and passion that they have [for ‘The Vagina Monologues'] with one another," junior Maggie Cech said. "We are a university that promotes open and honest discussion and I encourage everyone to talk about this issue."

Many student supporters of the production donned signs with statements such as "Censored," "Vaginas need to talk too" and "I am a Catholic and I support ‘The Vagina Monologues.' " Some students also chose to duct tape their mouths shut to show that they feel like their voices have been silenced because of the ban.

The students who didn't choose to tape their mouths chanted sentiments advocating the Monologues throughout the sit-in. One of the chants was a play on words of a traditional basketball cheer heard throughout The Kennel during many games. At the sit-in the cheer was  "Go Vaginas, V-A-G-I-N-A-S."

Student attendants of the sit-in also hoped to receive attention from Interim President Thayne McCulloh and Gonzaga University's Board of Trustees, two integral entities involved in banning the Monologues.

"The Board of Trustees and administration need to begin accepting opinions on campus that do not necessarily align with their opinions," Pollom said. "That is essential in order to create diversity on campus – something which the University says they want to promote."