<p>What a brave theatre troupe. I think this is very sad- one of the reasons that my kids have not been enthusiastic about looking at schools in the south. I know that this can happen unfortunately everywhere but the south seems to still be more problematic.</p>
<p>My D is a theatre major at Ole Miss. She wasn’t in Laramie Project but has several friends that were in it. The university has responded quickly and directly to this issue. You can look at the student paper online for several articles, but here is the latest one from today’s issue that discusses a mandatory dialogue session for all those in attendance the night of the incident. (Many were there due to a course requirement.)</p>
<p>[Mandatory</a> dialogue session for ?The Laramie Project? attendees - The Daily Mississippian](<a href=“http://thedmonline.com/mandatory-dialogue-session-for-the-laramie-project-attendees/]Mandatory”>http://thedmonline.com/mandatory-dialogue-session-for-the-laramie-project-attendees/)</p>
<p>This article quotes the openly gay student in the play who says that while he had doubts going into the session, he felt truly blessed when leaving.</p>
<p>I saw the show on its final night. The actors were all very talented and yes very brave. Wonderful production. Many students were also in the audience that night and you could hear lots of sniffling from those quietly crying. </p>
<p>Yes, there was a unfortunate incident, but the university is making this a teachable moment. In addition, this week is Gay and Lesbian Pride Week which was scheduled before this incident occurred.</p>
<p>And while Ole Miss is obviously in the south, about half of its students are out of states and many of those are not from the south. </p>
<p>Finally, I live in NOLA which while very gay and lesbian friendly, still has anti-homosexual zealots preaching in the French Quarter on a regular basis. </p>
<p>Bad behavior by a few people isn’t just unique to the south, this could have happened anywhere.</p>
<p>Yes, I agree. This kind of thing happens everywhere. But perhaps in the south, it is more publicly open. Maybe people think that it will be more tolerated or something. People just seem to think that you will think like them. Love NOLA. My S seriously considered attending school there.</p>