Trans comic Stacy Cay recently announced that she will be doing a comedy tour throughout the American Heartland this summer. The tour is called Illegally Female, and Cay will be joined on this tour by fellow trans comedian Robin Tran.
The tour stops cover cities like New York, Denver, and Chicago, but will also have stops in less trans-friendly places, such as Omaha, Nebraska, and Kansas City, where Cay is originally from.
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Lately, the United States has been becoming less and less accepting towards transgender people, and many trans comedians are responding by touring across the United States, especially in states with very harsh legislation targeting trans people. Other recent examples include Roz Hernandez and the Here to Pee comedy tour.
The idea of transgender comedians choosing to perform in states where they could be persecuted over several basic privileges that cisgender people have displays bravery in the face of defiance. There’s power in numbers, and the statement of a trans comedy national tour bolsters the idea that we are here, we’re queer, and we’re not going away. Even one person putting themselves out there could make a great impact in inspiring other people to do the same.
Comedy can also be a powerful tool when fighting ignorance and hostility. The number one rule for standing up to tyranny is to rally the people, and comedy is one of the more personable forms of entertainment. According to an Associate Professor at Rutgers’ School of Communication and Information, “Comedy can, through its effects on audiences, help contribute to social change by drawing attention, disarming audiences, lowering resistance to persuasion, breaking down social barriers and stimulating sharing and discussion.”
Comedy is far from the only solution to fighting the current administration’s transphobic rhetoric, but it’s one of many components in the resistance for our civil rights. Generally, if you’re able to do anything at all, from attending protests, writing to your elected officials, or showing up to support your favorite local trans artist, it makes a difference.
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