It’s only a matter of hours before New York City-based performance artist Sharon Hayes reads her love letter for the Democratic National Convention. At 5 p.m. today, Hayes takes over the 16th Street Mall between California and Welton streets for “Revolutionary Love: I Am Your Worst Fear,” the public reading of her gender-neutral, politically charged love letter.

This is not a letter, I suspect, that will start with references to flowers, butterflies, or even Shakespeare. Hayes, whose works have shown in the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study program and galleries in Europe and South America, has a penchant for asking thought-provoking questions and raising uncomfortable issues, such as warfare and revolutionary activism. Her aim with “Revolutionary Love” is to address love, desire, politics, and sexuality. The 75 people she’s asked to read with her all identify with the gay and lesbian community.

Hayes, it appears, is out to remind Democrats that a puttering economy and stumbling health care programs are not the only issues the next presidential candidate will need to address.

And indeed, her public performance may resonate among convention-goers. Yesterday, Hillary Clinton spoke, and women’s issues were the buzz. Since political questions about marriage, family, and sexuality often tie into feminist politics, Hayes may be able to ride the wave of yesterday’s energy, launching her passionate political questions into national discourse.