Comedians are the worst at knowing when they’ve outstayed their welcome and need to find a new career to take them into the sunset years. The fact is, if your mindset doesn’t evolve, neither will your comedy, and quite frankly, the whole curmudgeon thing has been done before and is getting as crusty as Larry David’s elbows.
We’re especially ready to retire comics who still think it’s funny to insult entire swaths of marginalized people. It’s not cool and it’s definitely not funny. We’re thinking most recently about Dave Chapelle, who has taken to attacking trans people in his so-called comedy specials, and Ricky Gervais, who somehow saw the backlash Chapelle faced and decided he wanted a piece of that, too.
We won’t dwell further on these two idiots and their outdated approach to comedy, but we will turn our attention to some groundbreaking, hilarious, and noteworthy trans comedians who can actually make us laugh without being offensive. These funny people prove comedians don’t have to insult whole groups of humans just to stir the pot.
In honor of Pride Month, we present six trans comedians who are funnier than Dave Chapelle and Ricky Gervais combined. Find your new favorite standup, follow them on social, and support them by seeing their sets live.
Cover Photo: FilmMagic / Contributor (Getty Images)
Trans Comedians
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Patti Harrison
Even if you haven’t seen Patti Harrison, she’s likely made you laugh. In addition to onscreen appearances in the Hulu series Shrill and the comedic film Together, Together, this trans comedian voiced a character on G-Force and has written for Big Mouth. Find more of her hilarity on Instagram @party_harderson.
Photo: Hulu
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Jes Tom
If you haven’t heard of Jes Tom yet, it’s time to change that. This New York-based Asian American comedian is one of the funniest people on the planet right now, providing playful and clever hot takes on sex and dating. Check out their self-produced half-hour comedy special, Cold Brew, on Vimeo and follow @jestom on Twitter for a daily dose of hilarity.
Photo: Facebook
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James Tison
James Tison is a gender non-binary stand-up comedian who performs all over the Big Apple. If you love jokes about depression, anxiety, sex, and cats, well, you’re in luck! Follow Tison’s Twitter @doioweyoumoney and TikTok @james_tison for a steady stream of laughs.
Photo: Instagram
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Jaye McBride
Talk about a trail blazer! Jaye McBride was the first out trans comedian to perform at Madison Square Garden. If you live in New York, you just might catch this Brooklyn-based comic performing at the Comedy Cellar, but she also makes the rounds at festivals like Just For Laughs, The Boston Comedy Festival, and Limestone Comedy Festival. Follow her on Twitter @jayemcbride.
Photo: YouTube
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River Butcher
This Los Angeles-based comedian tackles everything from vegetarianism to feminism to baseball in their comedy. They also wear many hats, using their funny bone in TV, film, and podcast projects. Read their hot takes on Twitter @rivbutcher.
Photo: Facebook
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Dahlia Belle
Comedian Dahlia Belle is a Black trans woman from Portland, Oregon, who is known for penning an open letter to Dave Chapelle in The Guardian titled "Dear Dave Chappelle, Transgender Comedians Can Take A Joke, But Why Are Yours So Unfunny?" Talk about speaking truth to power! Check her out on Instagram at @mx.dahliabelle.
Photo: Facebook
