On May 7, 2022, at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, twenty-two LGBTQ+ stand-up comedians gathered for a reunion and performance in the documentary OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION. Their historical journey was shared through interviews, clips, and some very honest conversations. It was a revelation and inspiring.
The performers, which included Lily Tomlin, Wanda Sykes, Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Tig Notari, Eddie Izzard, Mae Martin, and Fortune Feinstein, said it took one hundred years to get to the Greek Theatre. “Comedy gives you the opportunity to see the world through someone else’s eyes.” The film was raw and realistic. It showcased how difficult it was to be gay and a comedian. Many had two lives…their on-stage persona and the one they lived daily. It took immense courage and tremendous risk to tell it like it is.
OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION is well-produced, funny, poignant, bittersweet, and entertaining. It is a necessary lesson in history for our show business past. As I watched, I felt their angst, courage, and pride. Yes, we have come far, but we have miles to go before people accept humanity’s differences, embrace our similarities, and let love be the answer.
It is streaming on Netflix.
