WATCH YOUR PRONOUNS - full-length, grandfathers with young LGBTQ family members shares their inner turmoil.

by Tom Erb

FULL-LENGTH (4M/1F) "Watch Your Pronouns" is a poignant exploration of acceptance, understanding, and the evolving nature of familial love in the face of gender identity issues. Set entirely around a park bench, the story unfolds through conversations between three main characters: Cliff, George, and Sarah.
Act 1 introduces us to George, an older man struggling to come to terms with his grandchild Austin's...

FULL-LENGTH (4M/1F) "Watch Your Pronouns" is a poignant exploration of acceptance, understanding, and the evolving nature of familial love in the face of gender identity issues. Set entirely around a park bench, the story unfolds through conversations between three main characters: Cliff, George, and Sarah.
Act 1 introduces us to George, an older man struggling to come to terms with his grandchild Austin's recent coming out as transgender. He confides in his friend Cliff, who we learn has a painful history with LGBTQ+ issues, having lost his gay son years ago due to his lack of acceptance.
As the play progresses, we witness George's journey from confusion and resistance to gradual understanding and acceptance. Drawing from his past mistakes, Cliff guides George with wisdom and empathy. Their conversations cover various topics, from the fear of societal judgment to the complexities of medical transitions.
Sarah, a mother of a transgender daughter, joins their regular park bench meetings, adding another perspective to the ongoing dialogue. Her journey of acceptance and her challenges provide additional depth to the narrative.
Act 2 sees significant character development. George begins to educate himself about transgender issues and makes efforts to support Austin. Cliff confronts his past through a heartfelt letter from his deceased son, which he shares with the others. Sarah delivers a moving monologue about her experiences parenting a transgender child.
The play culminates in a powerful scene in which all three characters realize how far they've come in their understanding and acceptance. George, in particular, has a breakthrough in recognizing that his relationship with Austin is fundamentally unchanged—his grandchild is still the same person he's always loved.
In the final moments, Austin surprises Cliff by thanking him for helping George understand. This touching encounter underscores the play's themes of intergenerational understanding and the power of open-minded dialogue.
"Watch Your Pronouns" tackles complex issues with sensitivity and humor, emphasizing the importance of listening, learning, and loving unconditionally. The park bench serves as a metaphor for the common ground where people can come together to share, understand, and grow.

read more
  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

WATCH YOUR PRONOUNS - full-length, grandfathers with young LGBTQ family members shares their inner turmoil.

CLIFF: A black man in his late sixties. A widower who lost his gay son years ago due to his lack of acceptance. Now, he serves as a wise and empathetic guide to others struggling with LGBTQ+ issues. His past experiences have made him a strong advocate for acceptance and understanding.
GEORGE: A white man in his late sixties. Recently widowed and struggling to understand and accept his grandchild Austin's transgender identity. He develops significant character throughout the play, moving from confusion and resistance to acceptance and support.
SARAH: A middle-aged woman, mother to a transgender daughter. She joins the park bench conversations later in the play, sharing her journey of acceptance and the challenges she faces as a parent of a transgender child.
AUSTIN: George's grandchild, a transgender youth (age not specified, likely late teens or early twenties). While not physically present for most of the play, Austin is a central figure in the discussions and appears briefly in the final scene.
ALEX: (minor character) A young friend of Austin's who briefly interacts with Cliff in one scene.