They're Just Funny

Hello, would you like to laugh – not just at the inherent absurdity of our world, but really funny people? Wait, let me rephrase that, would you like to laugh at a bunch of really funny genderqueer people? Wait, let me rephrase that again, would you like to laugh with a bunch of really funny genderqueer people? Sorry, didn’t mean to come off like a bully about to stuff them into lockers…

I’m excited to enjoy the mid-week pick me up of Hannah Gadsby’s new ensemble comedy special “Gender Agenda” which debuts today on Netflix. The special features ALOK, Chloe Petts, DeAnne Smith, Ashley Ward, Jes Tom, Mx. Dahlia Belle, and Krishna Istha. You might remember DeAnne as the creator of that lesbian hummus cartoon which, honestly, is still hilarious. Mostly I’m just excited to have Netflix platform more queer, trans and otherwise genderqueer folks instead of those transphobic asshats it keeps giving big contracts. Like Chappelle hasn’t been funny since George W. Bush was still in office, and yet.

So, anyway, let’s all have a good laugh at his expense thanks to these very funny queers. For him it’s definitely at and not with.

Great Gadsby

Now that’s my kind of rom-com. In exactly one week, Tasmania comic Hannah Gadsby of “Nanette” and “Douglas” and lesbianism and autism and neurodivergence and genderqueer fame will be back on Netflix with a new special next week. The opposite of yucky! I’m such a fan of Hannah’s endlessly smart, keenly observant and uniquely quirky comedy. And I learn new things about our ridiculous world and even more ridiculous society each time. Like the Pouch of Douglas! And more on Picasso’s general shittiness (I mean, I knew generally, but the detail and precision of her takedown was * chef’s kiss *)!

Dave Down, Hannah Up

Right, so the last thing I wanna do is write about Dave Chappelle. But dammit if Dave Chappelle isn’t making me write about Dave Chappelle. So here goes. We all know there aren’t really any rules to comedy except be funny. Obviously this means there’s always been loads of debate about what is funny and what isn’t funny. But while there are no official “rules,” one of the loose conventions most comedians can agree on is it’s better to punch up than to punch down.

Punching up is making fun of those with more power, wealth, fame and other privileges. Punching down is making fun of those with less power, wealth, fame and other privileges. On the school yard, punching down is also known as bullying. So there’s that.

When a very famous, very wealthy and powerfully revered comic like Dave demands we laugh at his jokes at the transgender community’s expense, well, that’s not something I find funny. He proudly declares himself “Team TERF,” defends former beloved children’s book writer turned loathsome TERF J.K. Rowling and wildly homophobic rapper DaBaby. (Of the latter he says, “In our country, you can shoot and kill a [man], but you better not hurt a gay person’s feelings.”)

Like so many of the immensely privileged and disconnected elite in our country, one of his chief concerns about the world today is so-called “cancel culture.” He’s happy to make fun of trans people, queer people, the Me Too movement and whatever else he thinks is unfairly haranguing his fellow rich friends. How dare we demand they treat marginalized people with respect and acceptance, instead of using them as crude punchlines? They have abhorrent views, but we shouldn’t call them out on them for some reason. Again, on the school yard that’s something we just call consequences. But you know — semantics.

Netflix has thus far staunchly defended its airing of the special and paying $24.1 million to Chappelle for it (more than they spent, by a lot, on the entire first season of the wildly successful “Squid Game” I might add). The streamer’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos (the other CEO is Reed Hastings — because why have one straight white male CEO when you can have two) said the content “doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm.” Right, because transgender people — partiuarly trans women of color — are such a protected group that never experience violence or hate in the real world. Give me a fucking break.

Never mind that in the real-world Netflix just fired a black trans employee who was organizing a walk-out about the company’s Chappelle defense. I mean, that sounds like real-harm caused by Netflix, but what do I know?

In his defense of paying for and running the Chappelle special, Sarandos invoked some of the streamer’s more inclusive content including the shows like “Orange Is the New Black,” “Sex Education” and the out lesbian comedian Hannah Gadsby.

So far, this story has no good parts, but by invoking Hannah’s name we finally get some. In response, she took to her Instagram to drop a particularly pointed note to good ‘ol Ted.

“Hey Ted Sarandos! Just a quick note to let you know that I would prefer if you didn’t drag my name into your mess,” she wrote. “Now I have to deal with even more of the hate and anger that Dave Chappelle’s fans like to unleash on me every time Dave gets 20 million dollars to process his emotionally stunted partial world view. You didn’t pay me nearly enough to deal with the real world consequences of the hate speech dog whistling you refuse to acknowledge, Ted. Fuck you and your amoral algorithm cult… I do shits with more back bone than you. That’s just a joke! I definitely didn’t cross a line because you just told the world there isn’t one.”

See, now that’s what you call “punching up.” Don’t worry, as Netflix co-CEO Ted makes $39 million a year so he can just go console himself in a pile of money. Speaking of which, money must be a hell of a drug. Because once people attain enough of it, their most pressing concern seems to be protecting themselves and their fellow rich friends' ability to continue making an obscene amount of it. Unfortunately, we have not yet developed a rehab program for people who become rich assholes. But, at the very least, we could maybe stop handing them the microphone.

Anyway, be a Hannah in this world and punch up. Don’t be a Dave, and punch down. And now, hopefully, I am done writing about Dave Chappelle.

My Weekend Crush

After the last 15 months we’ve had, it just feels nice – not to mention noteworthy – to share good news. And when a talented queer artist gets married to another lady, well, in my book that’s great news. So hearty congratulations go to lesbian comedian Hannah Gadsby and her new wife, producer Jenney Shamash. That is definitely a good reason to enjoy a celebratory ice cream.

It’s also a reminder of how new this legal right truly is for most of us in the LGBTQ+ community. This June will mark the sixth anniversary of marriage equality becoming the law of the land in the United States. Our Australian friends passed marriage equality a couple years later, in 2017. As grateful as we are for voters and politicians affirming our equality, it’s total rubbish that people are allowed to vote on our rights in the first damn place. Otherwise, mazel tov! Here’s to love, marriage, funny women and ice cream. Happy weekend, all.

Burning Down the Patriarchy, But Funny

As we are all simultaneously somehow incredibly stressed and and yet also somehow incredibly bored (I mean, if you’re lucky enough to like me have been working in your home for the last 3+ months every.single.day.), I cannot recommend a brain shaker like “Douglas” highly enough. It is the perfect way to end this Pride Month.

Tasmanian comic Hannah Gadsby took the formidable task of following up her surprise hit Netflix special “Nanette” – which was all about reclaiming one’s trauma and not allowing it be used as a commodity – and turned it into another both funny, pointed, uncompromising and entirely not here for patriarchy’s bullshit special called “Douglas.”

The show is almost too clever for its own good, especially in its story structure and expectation setting. But it further proves how simple it can be to surprise people when you just tell them the truth.

You should know going in that Gadsby tells you everything she’s going to joke about right away. I am not kidding, she offers a full syllabus before she even actually starts the special. It’s an outline which at first you think there’s no way she can pull off, yet she does in such a smart way you feel like you’re being given insight into one of the more fascinating and entertaining brains around.

What I think I find most enjoyable about Gadsby’s comedy is how she is so good at pointing out things that are patently absurd about society yet we somehow accept without thinking. “Douglas” will make you think. I watched it twice, and both internally and (loudly) externally yelled, “Yes!” at my screen numerous times each time.

Plus, as a closet art history lover, her knowledge on the subject always delights - as does her insistence that common sense should dictate that misogyny and the patriarchy are ridiculous, beyond harmful and must be dismantled at all costs.

Hannah & Her Fangirls

This is a short series I call Hannah Gadsby posing with people and/or things I like. It’s short because most of the known universe (no offense, Tasmanian friends) didn’t know who Hannah Gadsby was until this summer when “Nanette” was released. But now that it has, and we all loved it, and then she showed up at the Emmys, and we all loved it some more, I feel it is time to give Hannah her place within the (very short) pantheon of stars. I mean, isn’t meeting other famous people one of the main perks of being famous? Well, that and the money and the adulation and the People magazine covers – clearly.

Hannah & Sandra Oh

After the Emmys they apparently offered their services as the “hosts for the leaving early awards.” 10 out of 10, would hire.

Hannah & Jill Soloway (fine, Will Ferrell is also there)

Cast Hannah in “Transparent.” Now that Tambor is gone the series should just hire as many quality, non-trash people as possible to atone.

Hannah & Jodie Foster

This is what happens when you crank the gay up to 11.

Hannah & Lindt Chocolate Truffles

Highly relatable image is highly relatable.

Hannah & Her Dogs

Look, not all superheroes have alien cats. Some have Italian truffle hounds.

Also, while she’s not exactly posing with her, Hannah has a long series of photos petitioning to be fellow Aussie Ruby Rose’s understudy on Instagram. And, sometimes, a three-way comparison of herself, Ruby and Vladimir Putin because why not.



It is, well, it is well worth a look.

My Big Gay Emmys

I don’t know much. But I know this. The Emmys should have stopped the show mid-stream and made Hannah Gadsby the host. Or Kate McKinnon. Or Tiffany Haddish. Or basically any woman who was not the dudebro Weekend Update dudes. But at least the awards ended on time, which is something. And despite the lackluster dude hosts, there were still some genuinely good moments. Heck, even straight people had a nice moment with that Emmy proposal.

So here are the queerest Emmy moments and Emmy attendees most pertinent to your gay lady interests.

Kate McKinnon was tragically underused in that whole “We Solved it” song. But at least she looked great with her stand-in date Betty White.



Hannah Gadsby should have hosted. Hannah Gadsby should have hosted. Hannah Gadsby should have hosted. Hannah Gadsby should have hosted. Hannah Gadsby should have hosted. Did I mention Hannah Gadsby should have hosted?



Samira Wiley is sunshine in a sparkly dress.



Evan Rachel Wood’s commitment to suit-based fashion on the red carpet is extremely commendable.



Props to Lily Tomlin for getting in a little Gina Rodriguez snuggle.



Carrie Brownstein doing queer women proud by coming in a dress with pockets.



My greatest hope – besides flipping the House and Senate and impeaching Trump/Pence – is that Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer make Abbi and Ilana endgame on “Broad City.”



Tatiana Maslany sees Carrie’s dress with pockets and raises everyone a sensible pants and top paying homage to lesbian favorite “The Gynmast.”



Tiffany Haddish’s big top dress is almost the best Pride outfit ever.



Please, you thought I would post about the Emmys and not include a photo of My Fake TV/Movie Wife Tina Fey?



Sandra Oh, who was viciously robbed of the best actress in a drama Emmy, brought her parents as her dates and her mother wore a traditional Korean hanbok dress which *heart eyes emojis forever*.



Some gratuitous Regina King arm porn for your viewing enjoyment.



Also for your viewing enjoyment, Angela Bassett. It should be noted that Angela turned 60 last month which HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?



All hail the Queen and Queen of Lesbian Couples. Long may they reign.



p.s. Don’t worry, kittens. SGALGG is coming tomorrow. Oh yeah, it’s coming.

Call Me By Nanette's Name

On Sunday morning of Pride Weekend, when all the rest of the gays were brunching, I watched Hannah Gadsby’s new Netflix comedy special “Nanette” with some friends in their living room. And, apologies to the brunch set, but it was the absolute gayest shit I could have done at that particular moment in time. More gay than watching a parade and much more gay than marching behind a corporate sponsor in a parade. Now, let’s back track and bit and see how we got here.

Last week a bunch of you posted or commented or replied to me that I had to watch this “Nanette” business. I had no idea what this “Nanette” business was, but The Internet told me to do it and I’ve never been burned by The Internet before. Wait, hold up, strike that and reverse it.

Still, I swallowed my trepidation and watched it on Pride Sunday no less. And, wow. Like, I could not feel that “wow” any more deeply. I believe “Nanette” is what mainstream critics call a “tour de force.” Or, you know, it would be if mainstream critics generally called the things that out lesbian, gender-nonconforming comics who aren’t wafer-thin and wear specs do a “tour de force.”

But that is exactly what her special is. It’s more than just an hour and nine minutes of comedy. It’s an hour and nine minutes of deconstructing why one of the most popular forms of comedy (self-deprecating humor, specifically) actually hurts the people who exist in the margins. You know us – the people of color, the queer people, the trans people, the gender nonconforming people, the women people. Really, the margins are anyone who isn’t our society’s stubborn and inaccurate default of “straight white male.”



“Nanette,” like Cameron Esposito’s also excellent “Rape Jokes” (which actually I had us watch after “Nanette” Sunday morning as an comedy enlightenment double feature), dares its audience to do more than laugh. It dares us to think. To think about ourselves. To think about the world. To step outside of the bubble we put ourselves in every day just to make it through or to make it easier or to reaffirm whatever we already believe to be the unshakeable truth and just marinate in someone else’s life and struggle.

I wasn’t familiar with Hannah Gadsby before I watched “Nanette.” So I cannot thank those of you enough who brought her to my attention. To quote Cameron from my double-header, “The internet is good?” Because what Hannah did was a lot more than just make me laugh that Sunday morning. She reaffirmed to me that to be an out queer woman in this world – or anyone else who exists in the margins – means we have to assert our agency with every last fiber of our bodies. And to do that we have to claim and tell our stories in a way that is honest and inclusive. Because if we don’t, if we fall into the same easy narrative traps, we are simply making the lives of those who already have it the easiest easier.

The world needs to marinate in the tension it has unleashed in our current, untenable political climate. To ban an entire ethnicity and/or religion of people from seeking refuge on our shores – that’s uncivilized and the people who do such a thing should feel tense. To forcibly rip people’s children away and put them in cages for seeking a better life here – that’s uncivilized and the people who do such a thing should feel tense.

Laughter (and penicillin) may be the best medicine, but the truth will set you free. Stop letting bad people off the hook. Also stop letting good people who just don’t like to think about the inherent institutional advantages they’ve been given because of the color of their skin or because of their socioeconomic status not think about those inherent institutional advantages.

The world is a tense place right now, and we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. We can laugh at that together, sure, but also acknowledge that for so many of us just feeling “tense” is a luxury. If we could only feel a little tense and not supremely terrified and profoundly furious at everything that is unfolding before our eyes.

The only way to make us less afraid of each other, less inclined to hate everything that is different is to really think about someone else’s life. Or, just as important, really think about yours and how you got where you are today. Yeah, “Nanette” is intense. But the world is intense. And to pretend otherwise is an easy laugh in a world that has already had far too many easy laugh at the expense those who can afford it the least.