Angry Fags

by Topher Payne

Bennett is really trying to keep it together right now. He broke up with his boyfriend and moved in with his best friend, Cooper. It’s election season, and he’s the speechwriter for Georgia’s only gay state senator, who’s engaged in a bloody campaign against a conservative darling. Then Bennett’s ex is attacked in the parking lot of a gay bar. Bennett and Cooper are informed that the assault can’t be classified as a hate crime – because in Georgia, hate crimes against homosexuals don’t legally exist. Their frustration and fear eventually turn to rage as they realize “acceptance” simply isn’t enough. They’re still living in a society that relegates them to second-class status. They’re not respected. They’re not feared. It’s time for that to change.

Genres: Plays

106 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Anthony Giancola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes a lot of bold swings, and I don’t know if it all totally works (I feel like it goes on too long), but is really funny and wild. I love a risk, even if it doesn’t totally work for me.

[Shaun Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topher Payne is a great playwright! Loved the writing and characters here

[By The Cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had one chance, fancy, and it didn’t let me down

[Hannah Riordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a gag and I agree with a lot of the commentary and points being made here, but unfortunately, this fell so flat for me. I’m queer and most of my friends are but no one talks like this. The dialogue is moreso what annoyed me more than anything else.

I also don’t know how well this would work as a play. A short film maybe or a short story, yes, but I just cannot see this on a stage.

I still enjoyed myself though!

(WTF was the ending…)

[Nick K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Act one was great! It was funny and moved at a great pace. Act two sort of unraveled but not enough to ruin the whole piece. I would love to see this live.

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

goddamn.

[Savannah Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy and poignant comedy about gay frustration and (whether this is purposeful or not) the lack of empathy white gay men hold for other members of the LGBTQ+ community.

[Nathan Fosbinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. This blew my mind.

[Mandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

god i love it when a play really fully lives up to its name.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is right now my favorite of Topher Payne's plays. It deals with the radicalization of a gay, liberal political aide as he becomes disenchanted with the lesbian state senator for whom he works. The characters are vividly drawn and it uses Payne's searing wit to raise serious questions about the current political system and the perceived need for compromise that often keeps important things from getting done. In addition, he confronts the temptation to violence afflicting many of us Southern queers in the face of the worst excesses of right wing populism.

[StorytellerMg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked right from the opening scene of this play. I devoured the first act during my lunch break and couldn't wait to get back to work to share what an amazing story it is. It's a tale of vigilantism taken to the extreme, or perhaps not far enough – that's up to you to decide. But one thing's for sure, it's absolutely incredible.