Petaluma therapist Dianne L. Grayer's play, a riveting portrayal of LGBTQ issues

“Private Lives, Private Lies” played to a sold-out house at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center last Saturday evening.

Written and directed by Petaluma-based marriage and family counselor Dianne L. Grayer, the play is a series of vignettes offering an honest, frank look into the lives of eight LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) people dealing with everyday issues like relationship dysfunction, addiction, discrimination and rejection.

The vignettes were so deeply touching that even the performers admitted they often had difficulty controlling their emotions.

As one audience member later noted, “While the characters are mostly LGBTQ, you don’t have to be gay to enjoy or even to identify with this play. The stories are universal, shining a light on the lives and lies we all live in relation to love, intimate relationships, substance abuse, family old and new, rejection, and moving on.”

Cloverdale resident Brigid Wasson was another audience member deeply affected by the play.

“Everyone in the audience seemed to identify with at least one of the characters, either choking in silence or weeping more freely when words they carry in their own heart were belted out onstage.”

In light of the Orlando, Fla., massacre at an upscale gay nightclub later that same night, Grayer says she is even more determined to promote her play.

“It’s so terrible what happened in Orlando,” she said. “I can’t help but cry when I think of the victims having to experience such terror. It makes me sad, and it makes me determined to keep pushing my play. I want to educate audiences. I want people to feel into their own pain. There’s something in the play that most everyone can relate to.”

To date, four sold-out performances of “Private Lives, Private Lies” have been presented in Sonoma County. Grayner, who also wants to get the play into high schools and colleges, is currently looking for her next venue.

“I want to showcase it again and will continue to do so,” she says, “because the messages are so important.”