Act II started as The Big Gay Writing Project by founder Meg Streich in 2023, it began as an online writing workshop to provide free and accessible collegiate level English education to the community. Gradually, through the help of Tattooed Mom, Wooden Shoe Books, and a variety of other Philly organizations, she built the organization into something much larger. The Big Gay Writing Project (or as it came to be known, “BGWP” or “Big Gay”) no longer just offered online writing workshops, but was putting on open mics, drag shows, singles events, and everything in between. So, it was time for a rebrand.

Meg is a special education teacher working with 18-21 year olds on the autism spectrum, and saw the importance of life skills instruction for a community. At a time where education inequity and adult illiteracy is at an all time high, we need more spaces for adults to learn, to be beginners, and try new things. How many times have you wanted to try something new, but there is just no good intro point? Nowhere to begin? That is what Act II does, provides the Philadelphia with a second shot at self-discovery, no experience encouraged.