After a 8 year hiatus, I'm back as a comedian (and a transgender woman)

QueerAF Podcast: Season Five, Episode Three – Do you love a queer punch up too? The comedic kind of course. What better to explore the scene (and queers) that turned the tide on cheap jokes at marginaalised people's expenses and began a movement that still echoes in comedy today… - listen now.

In this episode: 

This week, comedian Lucie Isle takes us on a trip to the 80s where set against a backdrop of an HIV/AIDS moral panic, a comedy scene emerged as a direct challenge to the widespread racism, sexism and homophobia in the press and wider society.

The diverse 80s comedy scene began as underground, grassroots Alternative Cabaret, with stilt walkers, drag acts, prop comics, sketch troupes and standup on a regular old lineup. But this underground alt-punk comedy scene that challenged the punch-down culture is still alive today. Lucie Isle and co-host Jamal Utting explores it's roots, as well as having a right old giggle along the way:

• Meet Dr Olly Double, reader in Comic and Popular Performance at the University of Kent to hear about the scene's roots
•  Jeremy Topp, comedian, host and co-owner of The Queer Comedy Club in London - the UK's only dedicated queer comedy venue
• Plus a modern analysis of this, and the queer comedy and cabaret scene now with Lauren Bryant, aka the Punk King of Drag, Will Power.

The history lesson we never had

The episode was produced as part of the QueerAF launchpad initiative Trans+ History Week. Season five of the podcast has been made by six trans+ creatives who have been paid, mentored, and supported by the not-for-profit publisher QueerAF to make a show.

Each creative has also been given equipment to make the show, which they can keep forever, as part of an initiative to help more Trans+ creatives break into and succeed in the audio industry. 

Make sure to subscribe for the whole season ahead. A new mini-documentary episode will be available on your feeds every Monday from now through Pride month.

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Behind the scenes, QueerAF's podcast is way more than about creating delightful sounds for your ears. The project is signposted by industry leaders and diversity initiatives because we help under-represented queer voices build media, audio and podcast careers.

QueerAF memberships help to directly fund the emerging LGBTQIA+ creatives we mentor. They help give them that crucial kickstart to their exciting career ahead.