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Poor Yorick
My Thoughts on Identity Themed Comedy Shows
I have mixed feelings.
Since I started doing comedy about thirteen years ago I’ve noticed that there are more identity themed shows now than when I started. This has happened at the same time there’s been a push for more diversity on show lineups, whether it’s a themed show or not.
When I first started it was not uncommon for me to be both the only woman and the only gay person on a lineup that was otherwise straight, white men. This has not happened in years.
I used to joke that I was not feminine enough or gay enough to fill that token role.
Just a few weeks ago I was the only cis comic on a show. This was on a queer-themed show.
An all women comedy festival called All Jane started in my city (Portland) shortly after I started doing comedy, but other than that I don’t remember any identity themed shows. A few years later the NW Black Comedy Festival started. For a few years we also had the Portland Queer Comedy Festival.
There are now also several open mics that give preference to POC, women, and LGTBQIA+ comedians.
Overall I think these are all positive changes that have helped bring more diverse voices into comedy.
