What Participants Are Saying About The Louies

"I just wanted to say thank you for last night. It was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. I am so glad I took the step forward to come. Life is too short to be scared of new experiences. I enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next meeting. Thank you so much for encouraging me to be there and for your patience."

"I cannot believe how kewel this is. I wish they would have projects like this at my high school. There's not a lot of stuff happening for gay teenagers and it can be really tuff. I hope I can continue to convince my mom to give me a ride!"

"Just a brief note to let you know how much I enjoyed the first blush of the Gay Male Identity Project last night. The group was diverse, sharp, and I loved the way, while few knew each other, everyone opened up and participated fully and with enthusiasm. It bodes well for the future, and I look forward to being a part of the process. I was also grateful for the way (the group) included one, older than they were, without comment or even a blink. For the first time I truly felt a part of the gay community of St. Louis and not an ancient oddity. Thank you for the inspiration that gave birth to the program."

"I've been surprised at how universal some of the themes are that we have come up with in the workshops. The emotions that have been generated by our work so far have been felt by all people, not just gay men. I think as a community we do have distinct characteristics, but I am always drawn to theatre, stories, music that reminds me of how much we are all alike instead of how different. It is possible to be different and similar at the same time. It's all about love, anyway; we all just want to be loved."

"I'm never this excited unless I'm talking about quilting! But telling a friend the other day about the project, I realized that my heart was pounding and I was passionate and on fire. I am having the greatest time making work and doing theatre. I'm so glad to be a part of this."

"This project is very important to me. I really believe I am learning so much. For most of my closeted life, I played a role. I was pretty damn good too. Now that I'm out of the closet that role is no longer valid. I have struggled to find my own identity and this project is helping me to do that. I feel like I'm on the verge of a new chapter in my life and I'm pretty excited about it."

"Joan is a very gifted teacher and has created an environment that allows us to tap into our creative abilities. I believe this project is important to the entire St. Louis community and provides a wonderful way to open lines of communication. Since our group is made of up of people who live and work in the St. Louis area, this will bring a local perspective to current issues."

"It is important for the public, at large, to gain a better understanding of gay men that transcends the stereotypical perceptions portrayed in magazines or TV shows. To the extent that we better understand diverse segments of society, is perhaps the same extent to which we can appreciate the world around us. Joan is a gifted artist who empowers her participants in the workshops I have seen to express who they are, what they are about and their dreams for who they want to be. This type of work is important and should be encouraged."

"Truthfully I do not want to miss a single meeting. I am getting so much out of everyone, and feel excited to be part of the creative process."

"I am one of ten children from an Irish/German Catholic family and also that one out of ten statistic who is gay. I was totally closeted and living in what I call a "fog of fear" until I came out (in a fog of alcohol) at the age of thirty-two. It is now almost nine years later and I am still struggling to become comfortable in my own skin. I have made what I consider to be leaps and bounds in my progress, but have hit a stumbling block which needs to be removed from the path. In the four short weeks of the Louie Project, I think I have hit pay dirt and found what I need to move forward, and reach total acceptance of my gay identity. I can't seem to put my finger on it, but Joan Lipkin seems to be able to bring out attributes that I have never been able to see in myself. I hope that I can continue to be a part of this effort to set straight what it is like to NOT be heterosexual in today's society."