Written by:
Gina DeVries
Hey Baby!
by Gina DeVries
Dory Mead is 17 years old and lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. She is a musician and vocalist, and was the president of her former high school's Gay-Straight Alliance.
How did you get into music? How old were you when you started to play guitar and write songs?
Both of my parents are classical musicians, so I've grown up with music around me. I've always been singing--I'm taking voice lessons right now, and I plan to major in classical voice when I go to college. When I was five I started taking violin lessons. I got a guitar for my 17th birthday, and I've been playing guitar and writing songs since then.
Who/what inspires you musically/lyrically? What are your songs about?
Being alone in nature and the outdoors has always inspired me. And I like the Indigo Girls and k.d.lang. Stephan Grapelli, this jazz violinist, has been a big inspiration to me as well...My songs are really a way for me to search into my soul. They're about life situations, and big experiences in my life. I write a lot about courage, and what it means to me.
How have your audiences reacted to your work? Do you feel that you have an appeal to queer audiences?
I played my stuff for a couple of the performers at the Michigan Women's Music Festival, and the response that I got was very positive. I sang with Michelle Malone at the festival night stage--that was a lot of fun...I think that I do have appeal to queer audiences. I'm pretty well known as being a positive queer. Was coming out ever a concern for you? Did you worry about the success of your musical career being threatened? It was a bit of a concern for me in the beginning. But I've come out as being bi and I'm very positive and happy about that. That happiness is what's most important to me right now.
What was the faculty and student response to the Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) at your former school?
We had some negative staff responses. There were people who wouldn't put our club picture in the year book. GSA signs in the halls would get defaced. But we ended up doing pretty well. We did both a yearly queer speaker and a GSA panel for the school's cultural diversity week. Panels are a great way to do education. When we spoke at the school assembly, we got standing ovations every time.
Why do you think GSAs are important?
Right now they're important because they provide visibility and a safe place. They accomplish a lot by just existing and being there for students.
What did you learn about being an effective GSA leader? Any tips for other students?
If you're trying to start a club, find faculty who will be willing to lead it and find as many students who are interested as possible. Be creative about it and keep things moving. Bring in speakers, especially older people to talk to queer kids about how it was before. I don't think a lot of us know. Do you have any advice for other young musicians starting out? Always follow the heart of the music, and always do it for the right reason. And give through it--music is really a wonderful way to give.
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