How I Survived the Ex-gay Movement

What others are saying about Peterson Toscano and
Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House

 

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.
www.kimberlydark.com

The play is intelligently written, hysterical at times, poignant, and most of all, deeply spiritual because of its underlying themes of self-examination and self acceptance...Toscano’s acting skills as well as the format of the piece recall the one-woman shows of Lily Tomlin and Whoopi Goldberg whose character studies unearth the neurotic complications in all of us.
— John W. Sykes, in newsweekly

Looking for self-pity? Victimhood? Shrieks of blame? A ruined psyche in agonizingly slow recovery? You’ll have to look elsewhere.The play doesn’t preach and doesn’t judge. It demonstrates one guy’s approach for surviving the Ex-gay movement...
— Steve Boese, Ex-Gay Watch

...the show plumbs the extent to which coming out means more than just being honest with oneself, and that honesty has communal repercussions,
— John Adamian, The Hartford Advocate

"Doin' Time" is unique in that, while it's very funny and you find yourself laughing almost uncomfortably at how blatantly honest it is, you can tell how much affection he feels for his fellow ex-inmates. Rather than ridiculing these deeply sincere people, something that's too easy and has been seen too often, "Doin' Time" sticks with you because you end up wanting to grab every last one of them and love them back into the wholeness they will never find a place where being yourself is proof of some kind of "brokenness." Peterson is a skillful performer, but what gives this piece its power is the fact that it's embued with so much compassion and love for the many characters he brings to achingly, resonant perfection.
— Steve Schalchlin, composer/lyricist of The Last Session and The Big Voice: God or Merman? and author of Living In The Bonus Round.

It is not a diatribe against the ex-gay movement. Toscano plays multiple characters during the performance, characters he cares about.
— Chuck Cleary, Metroline

Peterson Toscano's 'Homo No Mo' is consistently, hilariously funny, but it is also deeply thoughtful--without for a moment being 'preachy.' By poking fun at our human foibles, Toscano reminds us of our human dignity.
— Dr. John Corvino, philosophy professor at Wayne State University and member of the Independent Gay Forum

I am SOOOOO glad to hear of someone who chooses to fight fire not with fire but with water (i.e., loving, not beating to death, those who are homophobic or prejudiced against gays)
— an audience member

Right before our eyes, Peterson Toscano, with the snap of a finger, brilliantly transformed himself into the many faces and personalities that most of us have encountered along our journey of reconciliation. Through the laughs and tears that his characters evoke from you, Peterson's message rings victorious in the hearts of those whom have been set free.
— Jason & deMarco

It's brilliant and wonderful! It should be required viewing for anyone even thinking misguided thoughts about "ex-gay" programs.
— Rev. Candace Chellew-Hodge, editor of Whosoever.org

If you have a church group, or an LBGT group, or a civic group, or basically any large enough group of people who would enjoy seeing a hysterically funny yet heartbreakingly poignant story about how one man miraculously found who he was while trying like hell to be someone else, go get him. Peterson's a sweetheart, funny and friendly and so accomodating.
— Lady Sisyphus' Live Journal
Drew U student and LBGT campus leader

I've been fortunate to see Peterson Toscano and "Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House" two times now. Each time I have walked away with an amazing experience... Every time I have seen this play I have been better for it, and I highly recommend it to those on all sides of the debate.
— Michael Gibson-Faith, Program Director of the LGBT Issues Program in Michigan for the American Friends Service Committee

Often times, the GLBT community has been damaged by society's oppressive and often times sterotypical portrayals.  Peterson's theatrical performance, 'Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House', does an excellent job at demystifying some of these sterotypes and helps to bring to life some of the struggles faced by many individuals within the GLBT community.
— Marc A. Campos, MSW, ASW, Psychiatric Social Worker, Oakland, CA

In a time when controversies rage over gay marriage, ordination of homosexuals in the church and the nature of sexuality, Toscano’s unique storytelling neither attacks nor forcibly instructs, but rather invites audiences to sift through various accounts and move beyond issues to the underlying human stories.
— Peggy Campolo, Christian writer and lecturer

It was fabulous...truly a highlight here in D.C. It brought out every GLBT group in the city.
— Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Washington, D.C.

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, Hartford, CT