Zackie+Salmon's+Email

Hi Kira Thanks for contacting me. I always love to hear from people who are involved in a production of the Laramie Project and especially pleased that quite a few groups are still doing the play after more than 11 years.

The Tectonic Theater Group were wonderful, fabulous folks. They were so dedicated to getting everything right. It was easy for me to open up to them and I think most people whom they interviewed felt the same way. I still stay in contact with some of them. The play was a big part of the healing process for our community. There is no way to really describe the sadness and grief that fell over Laramie as a result of the murder. Everywhere, people were crying. This did not just last for days. It lasted for weeks and weeks. Although I did not know Matt, I know he wanted to work on social justice issues. That has been a big inspiration for those of us who continue for change.

Actually, the Tectonic group was here a couple of years ago following up with us.. My message was that there has been some progress, at least at the University Matt’s death. We did get Domestic Benefits established at the University. A core group of us worked on that for seven long years to make it a reality. There have also been some “surfaces changes” like a LGBTQ resource center on campus and an Office of Diversity has been established. However, underneath there remains a very conservative state, with a state legislature composed largely of conservative white males in positions of power. We do have one out Lesbian in the House of Representatives and she is a great voice for diversity!!!!

Here is some info that may be helpful in preparing for the role. Zackie is not short for anything. I was named after my great great grandfather who was a confederate soldier. He was killed in battle 3 weeks after the civil war officially ended…news traveled slowly in those days.

My accent tends toward a deep south Texas drawl. My very favorite meal is blacked peas, fried okra, fried potatoes and cornbread. That was the kind of “down-home cooking” I grew up w/ and I still love it…although now I eat more brown rice and sprouts!

I was born and raised on a small cotton farm in TX that only produced enough cotton to provide the bare necessities of life. What my family lacked in material wealth was offset by the closeness and love shared among my parents, my sister and myself. My parents were always accepting and supportive of their children no matter what. As was common in many parts of the country in the sixties, I married my high school sweetheart at age 18. We had a good marriage for being just kids and I truly loved that guy. However I knew there was something in me that didn't fit with being married and Ronnie and I divorced after 2 years. That was over 41 years ago and we are still friends to this day.

A quick jump to 2011. I have a great son who is 40 years old, a wonderful daughter-in-law, one beautiful grandson age 10 and a granddaughter who is 8 years old. I work at the University of Wyoming and direct a graduate school preparation program for low income students who want to go on to earn a doctoral degree. It is a very passionate pursuit on my part and I enjoy my work very much. My partner of 27 years is a professor here at the university and we can be fairly open about our relationship in our work environment. We live in country on 3 acres of land with our 2 dogs. I have included a picture of me and Winnie and Chewy.

I moved to San Francisco in the late 60's after my divorce and lived there for 9 years. I did not really “come out” in Texas simply because I didn't know where to find any lesbians!! Once I got to San Francisco, it did not take me long to find a gay bar. I can still remember the thought that went through my mind the very second I walked in the Club Carnation…” I will never have to pretend I like guys again.” As a result of my hippie background I still gravitate toward old Janis Joplin albums…….yes I still have a turntable for spinning the vinyl. During my early years in San Francisco, I was tear gassed for marching against the war in Viet Nam, tear gassed a music festival that got a bit out of hand and punched in the face by a homophobic guy at a gay rights demonstration.

My one fear in how people portray me in the play revolves around my statement in the play that I hope Matthew's murderers get the death penalty. That and the fact the play makes it clear I’m from TX (death penalty capital of the world) always causes concern that I will be portrayed as a right-wing death penalty freak. That is not me. That said, I do feel that there are some crimes that are so horrible and inhumane as to justify the death penalty. Matthew's murder was one of those crimes. However, once his mother, Judy Shepard, asked that McKinney's life be spared, I supported her decision completely.

As for how I dress, I can honestly say, I have no sense of fashion whatsoever. Once I was about to leave the house in a red shirt with purple pants. Thankfully, my partner refused to be seen with me wearing such a garb and asked that I trade the pants for a pair of jeans. I have always wanted someone to wear red and purple when they play "me". Are you game???

As for my best piece of advice for how to play me, I would say just digest everything I have written in this e-mail. Hopefully it will give you a good feel for who I am. I know your involvement in the Laramie Project will be a learning experience for you and your community. I would love to hear your account of that whole process.

Best Wishes

Zacki