So Umm.. I think I've been outed to the Standup Comedy scene

[Violetgray]

I just recently got a Twitter account. Twitter is like flash blogging, you type a two or three sentence blurb about what's going on at that exact moment, and your friends can make comments on it. A female comedian friend here in Baltimore has just friended me on Twitter. I thought "Oh, that's nice" but then I remembered that I'm on Twitter as Violet, not my male name. So she friended that "girl" me.

Does this mean that she knows? I know that many comics get myspace and facebook and friendster and things like that and friend as many people as possible, just trying their best to get exposure. She doesn't have that many other friends however, just a bunch of other comedians and me.

Also, I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm ready to be out to the comedy scene. Will the comedians that I've met and befriended over the years understand? Or will they have disdain for me?

I guess there's nothing left to do but wait and see what happens...

[Tina B.]

well Violet, when your out, your out. that is just part of coming out, you loss control.
I hope the comics don't em brass you! You know comics, anything for a laugh.
Tina

[Angie G]

Good luck Violet hope it gos good for you hun. I'd think they would have to like you. Your a great gal.:hugs:
Angie

[Hope]

You know, the comics I have met (not a huge number, more than the average joe, but it's not like I an a comedian groupie or anything) have all been really great, open minded people. They sort of have to be. I don't know much about the new breed of red-neck, dirtbag comic (not my thing) but the others are pretty cool people. I think if you did get outed - you will be fine. In fact - if you are a part of that community, that might be just the community to use as a test community for coming out.

In the worst case scenario - there IS a pretty big GLBT comic community...

[JaytoJillian]

It worked for Eddie Izzard

[Joy Carter]

Violet I feel your pain. I didn't set up my one account right (Google), and though it was Joy, who was named and pictured, my real name was in the cite information. Well I'm into genealogy, and a person of the same last name, contacted me through the cite, wanted to know if we were related ( I mean who would want a CD for a relative ?). I sweat-ed bullets, trying to figure out how to make my real name private. Word to the wise. Get a separate account ladies.

[JoAnne Wheeler]

With your outgoing personality and charm, you would be a natural

JoAnne Wheeler

[TGMarla]

If you're really funny, a crossdressing comedienne could have some pretty good success, and maybe quickly, depending on your agent. It might not have the staying power of some others, like Carlin for instance, but hey, take your 15 minutes and cash in while you can! Boy George did the sorta girl thing, was only famous for a few minutes, and he made a pile of money.


(Don't think he's using it much right now...!)

[Violetgray]

If you're really funny, a crossdressing comedienne could have some pretty good success, and maybe quickly, depending on your agent. It might not have the staying power of some others, like Carlin for instance, but hey, take your 15 minutes and cash in while you can! Boy George did the sorta girl thing, was only famous for a few minutes, and he made a pile of money.


(Don't think he's using it much right now...!)

I'm a firm believer that good comedy is like good food... as long as you continue to serve it people will come again to have it! As far as staying power, I think that most of the people who were just a "Flash in the Pan" as the saying goes didn't last because they depended on a gimmick to carry them in the long term. Though I'm a crossdresser I wouldn't depend on that to define me, just as Eddie Izzard doesn't allow that to define him. The trick is to be good enough to make'em laugh even if they can't see you.

Then again I'm getting way ahead of myself, because I'm not even sure

a.) That I've been discovered
b.) What I'll do if I'm certain of that.

P.S. I disagree that Boy George was a only famous for a few minutes. He had two hit records so he was famous for at LEAST an hour!

[Lori A]

Well, as some one brought out the redneck/dirt bag image, I'm sure they were talking about Jeff Foxworthy, Larry The Cable Guy, Bill Ingvall, and Ron "Tater" White. It's their gimmick. and they all seem to be doing pretty well for them selves, and while it has been years since I watched A&E Live at the Improve, I can't think of any CD's who do it and make people laugh at them for doing it, like the above mentioned do for being what they are. Laughter is the best medicine, so develop a good routine and have fun. Who knows? It might help us all.

[dilane]

Hi Violet,

I am friendly with several stand up comedians here in LA, met them at an open mike spot where they all test their acts.

Even a couple of boisterous tough/macho types are nice to me. I half expected to get singled out in the audience, but it's never happened (yet!).

One even asked me out!

Part of the niceness may be marketing (having as many word-of-mouth connections as possible). But my take is that they're usually smarter than average, see through to the person underneath, and don't get hung up on preconceptions.

But, as always, ymmv! :)

[Sally2005]

My personal preference is for a comedian to keep their act updated. I've gone to a comedy club or two in the past and I stopped going because it was like watching the same movies over and over again...jokes get stale...so does hearing swearing, jokes about drugs and other bad habbits. I think people could handle a CDing comedian if you don't play it up too much....

...so what if you are out...just tell your friends your working on a new angle for your show.

[diane51]

Sounds to me like CDing could be potential new material for a comedian. But then again who cares.

[Nicole Erin]

Violet you will be fine.
You pass and all that. Even if people know that someone is TS or CD, if the person passes, they are taken more serious.
So except for with the truely judgemental, you won't have any problems.

[Bobbi Lynn]

Another "Geraldine"? The Devil made me buy this dress?