Aysha Kloub stood on the stage of the Vagina Memoirs two years ago. She had struggled with finding an outlet to explore her gender until this moment. With many glistening lights pointed at her, the room went absolutely still and silent. Her heart beat rapidly. Kloub was ready to back out until she realized she needed to do this.

Kloub is a Western junior and the co-facilitator of the Vagina Memoirs along with Bethany Denton and Sasha Parsley. They are all past cast members.

“I wanted to give back to the community that helped me,” Kloub said.

The Vagina Memoirs is a performance where people share how their gender has shaped their lives. The Associated Students Women’s Center puts on the event every February and has done so for the past nine years.

The memoirs are open to people who have been marginalized because of their gender identity and anyone can audition to be part of the show, said Parsley, the assistant coordinator for the Women’s Center.

People’s stories vary but sometimes include domestic violence, identity, immigration and rape, Parsley said.

People have the misconception that the performance is only for women with “women’s struggles,” Parsley said. The purpose of the show is to expand on what women and feminism encompass, whether coming from a violent home life, a dangerous relationship, an ethnic minority background or the exploration of gender identity, Parsley said.

Kloub said it was one of the most powerful and inspiring things she has ever done. She had never thought about writing and sharing her story by discussing her gender identity, particularly in a large group of people.

When Parsley was in the cast two years ago, she said she was nervous to see so many strangers in the crowd, but she knew her story was important. She knew everyone in the audience and on stage was there to support her, which made her feel calm, she said.

“We are all from different backgrounds, and there was a real sense of support, because, in a sense, we’re going through the same process,” Parsley said.  “That was very powerful.”

The event is free and donations are encouraged. Proceeds from donations and the merchandise sold — including underwear, shirts and signed posters — will be given to Lummi Victims of Crime, Parsley said. Every year the cast chooses where the proceeds will go and they usually like to keep it local, she said.

The worst part of the auditioning process was deciding who was going to be part of the cast, Kloub said. Only 18 of the 80 people who auditioned were chosen.

“Every single story told is important,” Parsley said.

Kloub said when deciding what stories to use for the show, they consider whether the person auditioning is trying to tell their story because they think it will help them heal or if they’re looking for some kind of support system or community. They want people who need to be there and want to heal by giving and sharing, she said.

Parsley said she hopes people will be open to sharing their stories with other people after seeing the show, because everyone deserves a chance to tell their story.

Vagina Memoirs

Feb. 22 – 24 at 7 p.m.
Viking Union Multipurpose Room
Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
Performing Arts Center
The event is free and donations are encouraged.
For more information please visit:
http://as.wwu.edu/events/vag-2/