AUBURN – A panel, organized by the First Universalist Church of Auburn to discuss hate violence will follow Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre’s matinee performance of “The Laramie Project” Sunday, Jan. 20. While the play examines anti-gay violence, the panel will focus on the broader problem of hate violence in its many forms. Anyone may attend the panel discussion at 5 p.m. at no charge.

Howard Solomon of the GLBT archives at the University of Southern Maine will chair the panel. Panelists include Darlene Huntress, public policy director for EqualityMaine; Ryan Conrad of Outright L/A; and Ismail Ahmed, refugee acculturation and self-sufficiency specialist.

The play’s director, Linda Britt, reached out to The First Universalist Church of Auburn to assemble a panel through its connections in the community. “The church is well-situated at social justice crossroads due to our principles, specifically in ‘respecting the inherent worth and dignity of every person,'” said PJ Mears, social justice chairperson. “We put those principles into practice in many ways, including our formal designation as a Welcoming congregation.” That designation means UU Auburn is a safe space for bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender persons, and one that takes positions on and action against oppression.

“The intent of the panel is to discuss issues of hate violence in regard to race, ethnicity and religion, in addition to gender, orientation and gender identity dealt with in the play,” said Pat Phillips, assistant to the director and Auburn UU member.