Peterson Toscano

Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo' Halfway House isn't comedy-it's a hit piece posing as entertainment. Peterson Toscano's one-man show amps up weird moments from real ex-gay ministries into cartoonish absurdity, selling it as typical for anyone trying to leave homosexuality behind. Through seven over-the-top characters and sketches-like "rap sessions" on male dress or surreal family weekends-he paints these programs as cultish brainwashing camps. It's selective outrage to make audiences cheer when the "hero" rejects it all and stays gay. Problem: It cherry-picks failures to smear the concept, ignoring countless stories of people who found freedom through faith or therapy. Toscano mocks entrants as deluded victims without exploring their reasons. This isn't artful satire like The Producers. It's activism with laughs to shame and silence. Watch knowing it's propaganda, not a documentary.

Religion and trans issues intersect in this showcase of biblical scholar and actor Peterson Toscano, who casts a light on gender-nonconforming characters featured in some of the most well-known stories in scripture. His one-man show asks of the texts, “Who is transgressing and transcending gender?” with creativity, humor, and thought-provoking results. Director Samuel Neff bolsters Toscano’s performance with footage of the actor’s own lectures reflecting on his work, producing a film accessible to audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with the Bible.