Name: Sex Lives of Superheroes

Date:  1985 - 1995

Location:  North America

SubjectExplicit Sexuality , Language , Political/Economic/Social Opinion

MediumPerforming Art , Theatre


Artist: Stephen Gregg

Confronting Bodies: Anonymous citizen, school faculty, and School Board President Randy Clawson

Date of Action: 1995

Specific Location: Tempe High School, Tempe, Arizona

Description of Artwork: The play tells the story of a boy, his girlfriend, and his alter-ego who is a stand-up comic. In the one act play, the boy's alter-ego presents a monologue, which includes references to virginity, homosexuality, sex with superheroes, and interplanetary sex.



Description of Incident: After the play's approval by the High School Principal, an anonymous citizen and a faculty member contacted the school governing board regarding the contact of the play. Upon review by the board President, Clawson ordered the cast memebers to omit the perceived offensive content or cancel the play.



Results of Incident: Rather then undermine the integrity of the production by omitting segments, the student chose to cancel the play.



Source: NCAC: from an article in "Artistic Freedom Under Attack," Volume 3, 1995, provided by People For the American Way

Submitted By: Peter Silverman



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