I'm out

I have been asked if I am actually retiring from comedy.  I can say now that I am. 

With very few exceptions, the comedy world has made it abundantly clear that my presence is not welcome.  And since the vast majority of comedians are terrible people that I wouldn't want to hang out with anyway, I am not really losing anything. 

There are other trans comedians...sure.  Some of them have even managed to thrive in the community.  I can't...or I just don't have the moxy... or too old... or simply too tired.  I'm tired of being played off the stage in the middle of my act and having the host tell people that the performer up after me is a "real woman."  I'm tired of a host stopping me in mid act and saying that no one wants to hear five minutes of body stuff after he just did fifteen minutes about farting.  I'm tired of getting helpful advice that I should do something other than trans comedy because it makes people uncomfortable.  (i.e. it made HIM uncomfortable.)   And I'm tired of being passed up for gigs...even for shows that feature other LGBT performers... because I "just don't fit in." 

A while back I unfriended most of the performers I knew on Facebook.  They had clearly only friended me to be able advertise their shows anyway.  I may have to unfriend a few more soon and for the same reason.  If you are a performer and have never commented on any of my stuff,  you will soon find yourself with one less person to invite to your show....not that you would notice.   I doubt if any of you have even bothered to read this blog entry.  

Another trans performer once told me that every time I go up on stage and do my transgender shtick, I make life a little better for all of us.  I followed that advice for five years and just got a lot of heartache for my trouble.  Doesn't matter.  The schmagekkes have won.  I'm out. 

I am so out that I don't even want to SEE any more comedy or drag shows.   Don't bother inviting me.

This is the healthy thing for me to do.

Finally, this is my advice to other comedians who are trans but have not made it part of their act.  STAY STEALTHY.  Do not come out.  All you will do is make trouble for yourself.