Queer 101--Now I Know My gAy,B,C's!

A one-person comedy

written and performed by Peterson Toscano 

We're here; we're queer, but what the heck does it even mean?

The creator of Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House--How I Survived the Ex-Gay Movement! presents a hilarious and insightful theater piece, Queer 101--Now I Know My gAy,B,C's.

Morphing into a cast of characters, while drawing on the inspiration of poets Audre Lorde, Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca, performance artist Peterson Toscano, playfully explores what it means to be queer in the 21st Century.

Through this one-man performance piece, Toscano delves into the passion and confusion of internet dating, plumbs the depths of queer history, and humorously exposes the conflicts and contradictions within the queer community today.

From the world’s oldest queer story to the gAy,B,C's, this piece is filled with non-stop comedy with a generous sprinkling of compelling insights. Regarded for his skillful on-stage transformations, Toscano introduces his audience to characters who tell original stories in unique voices.

Edgy, funny, insightful, "Queer 101" seeks to open minds and hearts to a wild new queer world.

Watch Peterson perform an excerpt of Queer 101 

Perfect for universities and high schools but also great for staff training that's NOT boring! 

What they are saying about Peterson Toscano and Queer 101--Now I Know My gAy,B,C's

SMYRC, the Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center, in Portland Oregon has had the ultimate pleasure not once, but twice now, of being blessed with the presence and performance of Peterson Toscano. I’ve worked with this population for over 10 years, and very few things captivate their attention for more than 30 minutes, and make them howl with laughter to boot. Peterson had them focused and cackling away in their seats for over an hour each time.
-Zan Gibbs, Founder of SMYRC

It was a pleasure sharing the stage with Peterson Toscano! He is a wonderful actor, moving easily from one character to another in an intricately woven set of monologues that show, rather than tell the audience about the vital social justice themes he explores. The characters are humorous, but believable and the message is hopeful. He doesn't dwell in the pain of oppression, but rather uses the emotional and funny vignettes to help the audience members to forge their own action toward a more just world. I look forward to the chance to work with him again.
-Kimberly Dark, performance artist and sociologist.

The staff at our agency had overwhelmingly positive comments and remarks to make about your performance, comments afterwards, and the group discussion which you led. As an agency, we have many didactic fact filled presentations throughout the year. Your performance set a new standard for our agency, and one we will be hard pressed to match in our coming year.
-Carl Shields, MS, NCC, LPC, Director, Recovery & Community Integration, Capitol Region Mental Health Center

Peterson has performed Queer 101--Now I Know My gAy,B,C's throughout the US and Internationally.  Performance Highlights Include:

American University, Washington, DC, USA

University of Yaounde, Cameroon

McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

Ramapo College, Ramapo, NJ, USA 

Drew University, Madison, NJ, USA 

Sexual Minority Youth Rescource Center (SMYRC) , Portland, OR, USA

Instituto Enseñanza Secundaria, Alcorcon, Madrid, Spain

United World College, Montezuma, NM, USA 

Fenway Public High School, Boston, MA, USA

Boston Academy of the Arts, Boston, MA, USA 

Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada

Connecticut Youth Forum, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT USA 

Capital Region Mental Health Center, Hartford, CT, USA

Tapestry Health Services, Mt. Holyoke, MA, USA

Friends Council on Education Conference, George School, Newton, PA, USA

Coalition of Essential Schools Conference, San Francisco, CA, USA

New England Yearly Meeting (Quakers), Bryant College, Smithfield, RI, USA 

Pendle Hill Study Center, Wallingford, PA, USA

Brown Memorial Park Ave Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, MD, USA 

Spirit Connection MCC, San Jose, CA, USA

Queer 101--Now I Know My gAy,B,C's preimered March 2004 at the True Colors Annual Conference, New Britain, CT, USA

Where is Peterson performing next?  Check out his Performance Schedule

Postcard Design: Tina Encarnacion