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2nd Westchester college blocks `Vagina Monologues'
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) _ A second Catholic-oriented college in New Rochelle is refusing to let students stage "The Vagina Monologues," a play about female sexuality.
Students at the College of New Rochelle, which calls itself "an independent college which is Catholic in origin and heritage," had hoped to join hundreds of schools presenting the Eve Ensler play next month as part of "V-Day," to raise funds to fight violence against women.
Permission was denied, however, and college spokeswoman Deborah Thomas would say only, "'The Vagina Monologues' is not an appropriate vehicle for the college."
Iona College, "a college in the tradition of the Christian brothers and American Catholic higher education" in New Rochelle, has also turned down student requests to perform the show, saying portions could be offensive to a segment of its community.
The play includes frank talk about female genitalia.
CNR sophomore Alana Ruptak told The Journal News that the college cannot deny the existence of "God-given" genitalia.
"Most people here have vaginas," said Ruptak, 20. "It should be OK to talk about them."
Judith Gordon, chair of the women's studies department, said, "I regret that I'm at an institution that has that inclination. ... At the same time, I work for an administration and am willing to go along with what they decide."
Some other Catholic colleges have blocked the play, including Gonzaga University in Seattle, which would not allow it on campus. The Women's Studies Club there performed it at a nearby hotel ballroom instead.
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