Me Gustan Ninas

ME GUSTAN NIÑAS

ACT 1

SCENE 1

Ms. Cassandra Smith, a 5th grade English teacher, sits at her desk in the back corner of her classroom. Her classroom is decorated in muted, calming variations of pink and beige. The room is covered in posters of quotes from famous writers, thinkers, and leaders throughout history. Behind Ms. Smith’s desk is a large Pride flag- a source of immense pride for the queer young woman. A young girl enters from stage left.

GIRL

Disculpe, maestra, can I talk to you?

Ms. Smith looks at the girl and smiles, gesturing her over to the desk.

MS. SMITH

What can I help you with, Liseth?

Liseth sat in a chair opposite of her teacher. She looked down at her shoes and spoke in a faint whisper.

LISETH

Creo que me gustan las niñas.

Ms. Smith leaned in closer. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.

MS. SMITH

Speak up, dear. I can’t hear you. Don’t be nervous.

Liseth nodded, trembling. She looked at the door, then back to her teacher. Understanding the implied request, Ms. Smith got up and shut the door to her classroom. She sat back down and stared at Liseth, a frown etched on her face.

LISETH

I think that I like girls, Ms. Smith, and I’m really scared. I don’t know what to do!

The little girl’s body shook with silent sobs. She glanced at her teacher’s rainbow bracelet with a mix of fear and wistfulness.

MS. SMITH

There’s nothing wrong with that, friend. We all like different things, and people.

Ms. Smith wiped a tear from Liseth’s cheek.

MS.SMITH (cont’d)

I know this is difficult for you to discuss, so thank you for sharing with me. I understand your fear. But there is nothing wrong with taking the time to learn about yourself and your preferences.

Liseth shook her head. Her eyes flashed fire as she fisted her tiny hands.

LISETH

Dios me odia? Mis padres me odia.

MS. SMITH

To answer your first question, no. He is proud of your bravery and honesty. In regard to the second- I highly doubt that’s true.

LISETH

But when I told my mom, she cried. And my dad locked me in my room for two days.

Ms. Smith’s face tightened. The tension in the room was palpable.

MS. SMITH

Parents want what’s best for us, amiga, but they are only human. They see and interact with the world based on their knowledge and experience. And sometimes people fear what they cannot understand.

LISETH

My pastor made us leave the church. I just wish I could be normal and like boys!

Ms. Smith nodded.

MS. SMITH

I understand. Believe it or not- I wasn’t always this open about liking girls either.

Liseth gawked at her teacher with wide eyes.

MS. SMITH (cont’d)

My parents were a lot like yours. They were scared. I bet they still are. But at the end of the day, dear, your own happiness is more important than what anyone else thinks. Including your parents.

LISETH

Did your parents accept you for who you are?

Ms. Smith cringed.

MS. SMITH

Not really. Not in the way I wanted them to.

LISETH

Que debo hacer, Ms. Smith?

MS. SMITH

Surround yourself with friends and other family members who love and support whoever you are. And come to me with any questions you have. I am always here for you, chica.

LISETH

But what about my parents? Do they not love me anymore?

MS. SMITH

I think they do. Give them time. Show them the wonderful girl you are and all the things you will accomplish that has nothing to do with who you like or don’t like. If they love you, they’ll come around.

LISETH

But what if they don’t?

MS.SMITH

That’s a tough one. I wish I had all the answers. I will help in any way I can, Liseth. You aren’t alone.

Liseth stands and wipes the cascade of sobs from her eyes. She smiles and exits the classroom with a wave.

END OF SCENE 1

SCENE 2

Ms. Smith sits at her dining room table. The kitchen and dining room connect to a sparsely furnished living room with a simple couch, work desk, TV stand, and bookcase. The color scheme is consistent with her classroom in almost every way- including another flag hung proudly in the living room. Ms. Smith hears her phone rings and answers quickly.

MS. SMITH

Hello? This is Cassandra speaking.

She hears the familiar cough of her principal, Mr. Williams, on the other end.

MR. WILLIAMS

Good evening, Ms. Smith. This is Mr. Williams. Do you have a moment to talk?

MS. SMITH

Of course, sir. What seems to be the problem?

MR. WILLIAMS

Liseth Gonzales’ parents called the school in a frightful frenzy. They said their daughter spoke to you about a sensitive topic and that you encouraged her to disobey them and foster her unique desires.

Mr. Williams cleared his throat as Ms. Smith scoffed.

MS. SMITH

I did have a conversation with Liseth, yes. She came to me in confidence and I will not discuss it with you. However, I will defend myself by saying that I did not tell her to disobey her parents. I merely told a scared, confused little girl to put her own wellbeing first.

MR. WILLIAMS

She is just a child, Ms. Smith. You cannot radicalize this girl with your wild ideas. It is disgusting and disgraceful.

Ms. Smith sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

MS. SMITH

I will not lead a student down a path that will end in suffering or God-knows what else. It IS my duty to protect the children in my care.

MR. WILLIAMS

She doesn’t need protection. She needs discipline. Call her parents and apologize by the end of the day tomorrow- or clean out your desk.

Mr. Williams hangs up. Ms. Smith throws the phone into the living room and stifles a sob.

END OF SCENE 2

SCENE 3

Liseth, her mother, and father sit around a small wooden table in a cramped studio apartment. Piles of laundry and dirty dishes are scattered throughout the small area. An infant cries from a crib and the mother hurries to soothe it.

LISETH’S FATHER

De donde sacas todas esas ideas locas, Liseth? No ves lo estresados y cansados que estamos?

Where do you get all these crazy ideas, Liseth? Don’t you see how stressed and tired we are?

Liseth looks at her mother as tears fill her eyes.

LISETH

Solo quiero ser feliz, papa! Por favor escuchame!

I only want to be happy, Papa! Please listen to me!

The baby’s crying intensifies.

LISETH’S FATHER

Trabajo en tres empleos para poder poner comida en esta mesa. Y ese es el agradecimiento que recibo?

I work three jobs to put food on this table and this is the thanks I get?

Liseth’s mother puts a hand on her husband’s shoulder.

LISETH’S MOTHER

Escucha a tu padre, Liseth. Viajamos y luchamos hasta llegar a America para ofrecerte un futuro mejor, hija.

Listen to your father, Liseth. We traveled and fought our way to America for a better future for you, daughter.

LISETH’S FATHER

Tu deber es tener éxito en la escuela y tener éxito en la vida, no besar chicas.

Your duty is to do well in school and succeed in life, not kiss girls.

LISETH

Lo entiendo, papa. Pero la Sra. Smith dijo…

I understand, papa. But Ms. Smith said…

Liseth’s father slammed his fist onto the table.

LISETH’S FATHER

La dama blanca no entiende. No entiende nuestras costumbres. Tu profesora te está llenando la cabeza de mentiras!

The white lady does not understand. She does not understand our ways. Your teacher is filling your head with lies!

Liseth’s mother clears her throat.

LISETH’S MOTHER

Tu padre no te lo volverá a recordar.Ya hablamos con tu directora para que no te dejes convencer por las fantasias de la Sra. Smith. Vete a la cama.

Your father will not remind you again. We have already spoken with your principal so that you can no longer be persuaded by Ms. Smith’s fantasies. Go to bed.

Liseth groans and stomps off stage. Her parents stare after her with a mix of disdain and helplessness.