All students should try diving into the theater this week and make their way to the Kent State School of Theatre and Dance’s production of “14.”

The play opened this weekend and deals with a controversial therapy experiment used by the Mormons back in the 1970s to try to “cure” people of homosexuality. A play that deals with homosexuality comes at an important time for gay rights in America. Sunday, the LGBT community marched in Washington, D.C., and opened America’s eyes to the struggles the gay community has seen.

“14” is derived from the personal account of the play’s author, John Cameron, and gave an insight to the struggles he endured during his fight against his homosexual feelings.

This is a play of great importance to the LGBT community. It shows that homosexuality isn’t a psychological problem. It comes directly from a man who endured it firsthand. It shows that even after all the therapy he experienced, that it still didn’t change his feelings – it didn’t change who he was deep down.

Another thing that can be appreciated about this play are the students involved. They add a great passion to the stage. With many LGBT community members being actively involved in the theater community, this play is inspirational for the people on the inside, making for an even better product for everyone else to enjoy.

This play is very important for Kent State. It brings diversity to the campus and helps the public better understand the struggles homosexuals have had to endure in the past decades. It is detrimental in today’s society to stop discrimination and accept all of our peers no matter what their sexuality may be.

So in the wake of this era’s civil rights movement, go out and see “14” to see the story of gay men struggling through life in the 1970s and remember to understand those struggling with the same issues on a modern-day stage as well.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.