It’s funny how many straight male comedians have gay jokes.
No, “funny” isn’t the right word.
At any given show, on any given night, in any given town in America, I will stand patiently in the back of the room awaiting my turn. If it’s hilarious, I’ll laugh, but truthfully I’ve grown deeply bored of homophobic and transphobic open-micers masquerading as crusaders of free speech. And my god, boring is so much worse than bad.
I would never suggest a stand-up comedian pull their punches. In fact, I think straight comedians using the f slur as a punchline is totally fine. But it better be the funniest thing any of us have ever heard. Otherwise, wow — what a waste.
Like the rest of America, stand-up comedy feels divided. You’re either a red-blooded Roganite, or you’re a woke libtard monologuing us to death. You’re either assaulting an audience or you're on the defensive. But one thing’s for certain: Everyone’s got material about pronouns and gay sex. Everyone.
I’m not saying you need to suck dick to make gay jokes, but it helps. It’s called lived experience, babe. And as comedians, aren’t we supposed to be reckoning with our lived experiences, exploring nuance, and holding up a mirror? That blatant ignorance lives at the center of our culture divide: One group who doesn’t understand anything about the other, but feels the need to punch down, mock, and criminalize. And make no mistake — that’s the American way.
Homophobia and even far-right extremism can take the shape of a stand-up comedian. A stand-up comedian can be annoying, unfunny, even disingenuous, and still capitalize on all the MAGA assholes who are just dumb enough to buy tickets and splurge on merch. Oh, he degraded trans women and somehow did a Chinese voice on top of it? Hilarious, and potentially very profitable!
For queer folks, these guys aren’t exactly the enemy. They’re not artists, but they’re not legislators either. What we’re up against is far greater and deeply more insidious: Erasure.
Cultural, federal, swift silence.
But let me be crystal clear, queer comedians are not victims. In fact, we might be foot soldiers of the resistance. We’re the ones with the stories and experiences that can make us feel more unified and less isolated. My same-sex marriage is just as mundane and frustrating as you mom and dad’s. I know this because your dad told me.
With this in mind, I felt moved to create a platform just for LGBTQIA+ performers. A small project born from a desperate need to generate visibility and amplify voices. A counterpoint to anti-LGBTQIA+ stand-up comedy that was accessible, political, and hysterical. So four years ago, with the help of my spouse and business partner, Drew, we created LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest.
It started out as a one-day event, in my hometown of New Orleans, with a series of standing-room-only shows. Since then, we’ve grown exponentially into the biggest event of our kind in the country. Every event is fully funded through the generosity of local businesses, regional organizations, and global brands — ensuring every performer is paid, which believe it or not, is an anomaly in the comedy festival circuit. Many national comedy festivals don’t have the resources to pay their performers, but we fundraise year-round to fairly compensate our performers for their time and talent.
This year, LGBTLOL kicks off Pride Month in New Orleans May 29-June 1 with more than 50 comedians from across the U.S. and Canada, featuring national headliners like Corey O’Brien, Paris Sashay, and Gabbie Watts.
LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest lineupCourtesy
Beyond the stage, LGBTLOL collaborates with organizations like Forum for Equality and NOLA Pride Center, directing proceeds from certain events to support LGBTQIA+ youth, rights, and initiatives. These partnerships reinforce the festival’s dedication to advocacy and social impact.
At a time when our community is experiencing dangerous legislative attacks, cultural pushbacks, and a red wave of (small dick and probably closeted) far-right stand-up comedy, spaces that celebrate and amplify queer voices are not just more important than ever — they’re essential to our survival. And while our queer identities are under siege, events like LGBTLOL serve as vital affirmations of our existence and resilience. They remind us that joy, laughter, and community are powerful tools against oppression. While extremists try to erase us, we’re making it impossible to ignore us.
Comedians on both sides might read this and roll their eyes. I probably would, but it has to be said. As a community, our very identities and dignity are under siege, and no one is coming to save us. We’re going to have to save ourselves. Our voice is our resistance and the microphone is just sitting there for us. Remember, if necessary, you can still tell gay jokes with your hands cuffed behind your back.
Prepare to get loud because the people who want us gone are already at our door. Knock knock.
Ryan Rogers is a comedian and a founder of the LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest, running May 29 to June 1 in New Orleans. Learn more at lgbtlol.com.
