Chatting about Ex-Gay Stuff & More on The Agenda

Earlier this week I visited the Human Rights Campaign to sit down for an interview for their weekly radio program, The Agenda. In this interview I speak about my ex-gay experiences and how the de-gaying experience helped make me a better actor.

Earlier in September HRC had me as their guest to present Transfigurations, my play about transgender Bible characters. The purpose for having me was primarily for the HRC staff as part of the effort to open up the discussion about transgender issues and rights. Lots of people showed up for that performance, including folks from the community, and from what I have heard the play struck a chord. Producer Michael Cole asked me about Transfigurations and why I think it has been so successful.

I also discuss The Re-Education of George W. Bush (and my hope that I DO NOT have to write a new play McCain/Palin—Bridge to Nowhere and Beyond!) and a dietary step we can each take to help save the planet.

Michael then asks me about Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House and some of the reasons why I retired it. We wrap up by talking about my process in engaging with the audience in order to shape the performance work I do.

The whole interview is about five minutes. You can listen here.

You can hear other excerpts from the program and earlier episodes here.

Doin’ Bush in DC

Um, that’s my play, The Re-Education of George W. Bush—No President Left Behind! I get to perform it at the US capitol at the William Penn House tomorrow night. Yummy. After 36 hours home, I leave early tomorrow morning to take the Amtrak train down to DC.

I will be in the capitol all week until Friday when I head to Baltimore to meet up with the Soulforce Equality Riders. Okay these folks are so much my s/heroes! On their site they write:

Every day, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people suffer harassment, violence, and discrimination at the hands of those who do not understand them. This oppression usually hides in plain sight, masquerading as rigid doctrine or timeless tradition. Consequently, it often goes unchallenged and unchanged. Guided by principles of nonviolence, we at Soulforce Q approach these controversial issues with a readiness to meet people where they are. It is our belief that open and honest discussion begets understanding and healing, and that philosophy is at the heart of our work.

The Equality Ride is a traveling forum that gives young adults the chance to deconstruct injustice and the rhetoric that sustains it. It allows emerging young leaders to unite in the struggle for common equality. The idea is this. We get on a bus and journey to various institutions of higher learning. Through informal conversation and educational programming we explore concepts of diversity, comparing the effects of inclusive and exclusive viewpoints. More practically, we share and gain insights about how our beliefs influence policy and culture, thereby impacting society. Our goal is to carefully and collectively examine the intersection wherein faith meets gender and sexuality. Such discourse, especially when it affirms the beauty of our differences, plays an essential role in creating a safe learning and living environment for everyone.

Cool, right? I will take part in their training with an aim to discuss the Ex-Gay Movement with them. Seems this topic comes up a lot as they travel to Christian schools. I will also lead a session about how to engage in non-violent communciation. Finally, I get to perform Transfigurations—Transgressing Gender in the Bible. I remember the last group of Equality Riders and how some identified as trans in some way. They will get to lead workshops with students from some of the Christian schools they will visit. Perhaps they will offer a lesson about gender variant people in the Bible.

Like the 2007 crew, this year’s riders look amazing! Check out them out here, and please consider sponsoring a rider. Even a little bit will help.

While in the DC/Baltimore area, I will get to do presentations for other groups including the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Young Friends’ Conference where I will present my Bush play and more. Also, I just confirmed a performance at Friends Meeting in Adelphia, MD. After having me at the Baltimore Yearly Meeting gathering this suummer then seeing my performance at the HRC earlier this mont in DC, they want me to perform Transfigurations for them. (I wonder if they will clap when I exit???)

Next Tuesday a dream of mine will be fulfilled as I fly to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I’ve wanted to go to this city for years, and I get a whole week there and the surrounding areas doing shows and workshops for the Church of Canada. It’s all so yummy!

Okay, must go to bed. I think I will have my favorite dish for breakfast before I hit the road. Must remeber to set the timer on the rice cooker.

Tag: Transfigurations