GLAAD award-winning comedian Marga Gomez began her stand-up career “B.E.,” as she likes to say, “Before Ellen.” She already had me laughing over the phone during our interview with her quick and candid remarks about ex-girlfriends, her career, and why you want to be at her show celebrating the gayest month of the year.
Why comedy?
Because I don’t like music. It’s more exciting to have someone up there talking about everything we’re going through and transferring it to another view point. We still have challenges and bias against us, and as comedians we use the negatives and try to triumph over them with jokes.
What can the audience expect from your shows?
Different material from my last show at Busboys. More intimate material about sex because I’m dating now—I’m not having sex, but I’m thinking about it more. This show will be more spicy. Recent OkCupid experiences and bad rainbow fashion. I talk a lot about pride and how we lose our queer minds during pride.
What’s it like being an out lesbian comic?
We talk about material that’s constantly against us, but it’s not about going back to the same issues. A lot of queer comedians are comedians that happen to be queer. Queer comics are playing straight clubs and that’s really cool because audiences aren’t shocked that a comic is queer. It’s also helpful because you’re different, you stand out, and you’re material is fresh. At the same time I can’t wait for the day when we’re just comedians because we have equality.
Do you tell jokes about ex girlfriends?
Oh yeah! A warning to all the ladies who date a comedian: Do not break up with a comedian—you’re going to be an entire hour of material. I don’t use names. It’s like all of my exes are one super dysfunctional partner. My material is personal in a way, but it wouldn’t work if wasn’t relatable. And I don’t have exes in D.C., so I’m really going to talk shit.
What do you want your audience to know about your shows?
I don’t sound like any other comic, and I pride myself on it. Sampson McCormick, another queer comic, will do a short guest set during the show. It’s also my birthday weekend so hopefully people come to celebrate with me so I can share my birthday with other Geminis.
Marga Gomez: Pride Baby takes place on Sunday, June 16 at Busboys and Poets located at 2021 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. at 8:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit http://pridebaby-eventful.eventbrite.com/r/eventful#.
