When it comes to celebrating diversity and inclusion, Lori Mazey’s name is front and centre. And she uses her expertise in theatre to help educate the community.
Lori’s drama classes have always been a welcome and inclusive place for all. For many years, she has directed plays which have addressed homophobia. In 2003, she directed The Laramie Project, which dealt with the murder of a young gay man, Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming. The play shows the positive response the community of Laramie had to that hate crime.
In 2012, Lori worked with LGBTQ+ kids at Vanier to hear their stories of discrimination and to write and direct the play Torn Rainbow, a show about homophobia in high schools which toured Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland over three years. This play was a powerful educational tool about homophobia and discrimination against LGBTQ kids in our schools. All those involved in the production and all of the
audience members learned a great deal about this issue and the importance of celebrating diversity.
In 2019, she directed the play RENT, which tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and creating a life in New York, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Openly gay characters are portrayed with compassion.
Lori has consistently celebrated diversity and has been a very important mentor and role model to many youth who might have been at-risk without her support.
Lori Mazey is this year’s Diversity & Inclusion Local Hero.
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