Gay marriage show coming to A.L.

Published 9:26 am Tuesday, April 2, 2013

A nonprofit organization formed to promote equal rights and benefits for same-sex couples is bringing a theatrical production to Albert Lea on Thursday to illustrate their cause.

The Project 515 Education Campaign will bring its production of “515 — The Tour!” to Riverland Community College at 1 p.m. The goal of the 45-minute representation is to show the challenges same-sex couples and their families face based on their inability to marry, according to a news release.

The production shows 515 laws in Minnesota that the campaign says discriminate against same-sex couples, including in times of illness and tragedy, planning for the future and even in a couple’s professional and political lives, the release stated.

Email newsletter signup

“At a time when Minnesota is engaged in a statewide discussion about marriage for same-sex couples, we hope to demonstrate the ways in which marriage is important to all families,” said Bryan Gerber, the show’s director. “Our show presents a vision of a world where all families are equally valued and respected under the law and in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and communities.”

Following the show will be a question-and-answer period.

There will also be performances in Austin at noon Wednesday at Frank W. Bridges Theatre, 1900 Eighth Ave., and at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Christ Episcopal Church, 301 Third Ave. NW. A show will be in Owatonna at 7 p.m. Thursday in the commons of Riverland Community College, 965 Alexander Drive SW.

The performance premiered in 2010 at Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis. It has since been updated several times and has been performed throughout the state.