Friend in Residence
Peterson Toscano, 2013 Friend in Residence
Haverford’s Friend in Residence program brings gifted and experienced Quakers to campus for extended interactions with students, staff faculty, and the community. The aim is to stimulate reflection on the connections between academic pursuits and "letting one's life speak."
The purpose of the Friend in Residence program is to enrich the educational experience for Haverford’s students, deepen the school’s appreciation of its Quaker roots and strengthen the College’s connections within the broader Quaker community.
Sponsored by the President's Office and the Quaker Affairs Office.
Peterson Toscano - March 18-April 7, 2013
Peterson Toscano is a gay theatrical performance activist who uses comedy, Biblical scholarship, and storytelling to address social justice concerns. He spent 17 years and over $30,000 on three continents attempting to change and suppress his same-sex orientation and gender difference until he finally came out gay in 1999. Since 2003 he has traveled throughout North America, Europe, and Africa performing in diverse venues and speaking in the media. He writes and presents plays and lectures that explore LGBTQ issues, faith, sexism, racism, violence and gender. His work on gender variance and the Bible has garnered much attention and praise from Bible scholars. He lectures and performs at seminaries, academic conferences, and colleges as well as theaters.
Past Friends in Residence:
- 2012 - Peter G. Brown '61
- 2011 - Joe Volk