In this 1st episode of 7, meet your hosts Allison Kenny and Lynn Johnson, co-founders of High Desert Playback, an Albuquerque-based company that makes theater for social change in New Mexico and beyond.

We introduce you to Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play, our original play written from the real life stories of 25 queer and trans youth from across New Mexico. Their stories revealed to us what gives them joy, where they feel the most safe, and what they need their parents, families, and adult allies to know.

Queer and trans youth need you…now.

They need you to know that they are not aliens. They are human beings who are proud and afraid and suffering and celebrating.

They need you to know that they are different from you and just like you. They understand that you will make mistakes, and they need you to keep trying anyway. They need you to get over yourself and get what you need to be able to show up.

You have a mission and it’s clear. You must do what it takes to listen, understand, support, and advocate for the queer and trans youth you love.

Here’s your first assignment:

* Subscribe to Queer Futures Now on Substack. When you do, you become part of the Queer Futures Now Network, a virtual support community facilitated by our partners at HEAL Plus New Mexico. The Queer Futures Now Network is for parents, families, educators and the rest of us who are ready to show up on behalf of queer and trans youth…now.

* Each week, you will receive an email with new information and tools to add to your ally toolbox.

* Over the next month—between now and next podcast episode—we will focus on information and tools to help you better understand, support, and advocate for the mental and physical health of queer and trans youth.

PODCAST CREDITS:

The Queer Futures Now Podcast

* Produced and Edited by: Lynn Johnson

* Hosted by: Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny

* Original Music by: Jessie Lane

* Actors Featured In This Episode: Dalilah Naranjo, Danielle Simone, Jessie Lane, Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny

* Sponsored by: HEAL Plus New Mexico, a grassroots organization that uses community art to co-create communities where all people can thrive and queer and trans people are cherished. Queer Futures Now was originally made possible under the leadership of Alex Ross-Reed. Since December 2025, HEAL Plus New Mexico has been led by Gracielx Sedillo-Lopez.

QueerFuturesNow.substack.com

Are we willing to do what it takes to protect queer and trans youth and fight for their queer futures…NOW?

In the Spring of 2024, Health Equity Alliance of LGBTQ+ New Mexicans (HEAL Plus NM) and High Desert Playback outreached to LGBTQ+ youth ages 16-24 throughout rural and urban areas of New Mexico to hear their stories and learn what they wished their parents and caregivers knew about their experience.

What resulted was Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play, a 90-minute play that blends sci-fi, thriller, adventure, and dance party. Set on the banks of the Rio Chama in Northern New Mexico, the play follows four queer and trans youths on their journey to safety and shows the path to paradise is closer than we think.

Original cast of Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play in Farmington, NM. Top row (left to right): Lynn Johnson as Scratch the Alien, Jessie Lane as Disco the Alien, and Allison Kenny as Scritch the Alien. Bottom row (left to right): Dalilah Naranjo as Brooke, Bryan Fuentes as Rio, Danielle Simone as Star, and Noe Field-Perkins as Jay. Not pictured: Johnny Olesen as Harmonica Human.

The Queer Futures Now Podcast takes you behind the scenes of the play to hear what queer + trans youth need from us; their parents, families, and adult allies. Each episode will provide you with tools and resources to listen, understand, support, and advocate for the young people in our lives.

Listeners of The Queer Futures Now Podcast are encouraged to SUBSCRIBE NOW to join the Queer Futures Now Network, a virtual support community for parents, families and allies of LGBTQ+ individuals. When you subscribe, you will get an email as soon as each podcast episode launches. You will also receive invitations to virtual group meetings and information about connecting with other allies in your local community.

Questions about the Queer Futures Now Network? Send an email to [email protected]

PODCAST CREDITS:

The Queer Futures Now Podcast

* Produced and Edited by: Lynn Johnson

* Hosted by: Lynn Johnson and Allison Kenny

* Original Music by: Jessie Lane

* Sponsored by: HEAL Plus NM, a grassroots organization that uses community art to co-create communities where all people can thrive and queer and trans people are cherished.

Queer Futures Now: An Alien Play was commissioned and made possible by HEAL Plus NM under the leadership of Alex Ross-Reed.

* Written by: Allison Kenny and Danielle Simone

* Directed by: Lynn Johnson

* Produced by: Lynn Johnson, Alex Ross-Reed and Lyisa Jimenez

* Original Cast:

* Allison Kenny

* Bryan Avila-Fuentes

* Dalilah Naranjo

* Danielle Simone

* Jessie Lane

* Johnny Olesen

* Lynn Johnson

* Noe Field-Perkins

* Original Creative Team:

* Assistant Director: Tatiana Isabel Gil

* Sound + Music: Jessie Lane

* Scenic Design: sheri crider + Haley Greenfeather

* Costume Design: Allison Saint

* Stage Manager: Lasha Kirker