Some things are universal.  Like comedy – everyone likes to laugh (well, maybe not El Presidente).  Last week, there was a huge comedy festival in Saudi Arabia where they paid comics “a shitload of money” (at least, that’s what it said in my contract).  Some comedians went, others stayed home out of protest.  On Real Time, Louis C.K. told Bill Maher, “There is a woman who is a lesbian and Jewish who did a show there and she got a standing ovation.”  He was referring to our own Jessica Kirson, who I don’t know personally but I’m a huge fan.  She did indeed perform there and, as LCK said, was a big hit.  But she also took a hit from her fans here in the US, who felt as a woman, as a lesbian, and as a Jew, she shouldn’t have gone.  People certainly have the right to criticize, but they should know that Jessica did her research.  Here’s what she said after the event: “As an artist, my mission has always been to help people feel less alone.  As an openly gay person, when I was asked to perform in Riyadh, I was surprised.  I requested a guarantee that I could be openly out as a lesbian on stage and perform gay material.  I hoped that this could help LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued.  I am grateful that I was able to do precisely that – to my knowledge, I am the first openly gay comic to talk about it on stage in Saudi Arabia.  I received messages from attendees sharing how much it meant to them to participate in a gay-affirming event.”

So, win/win, right?  Wrong.  Fans were outraged that she performed at an event supported by the Saudi government.  “To my fans: I see you.  I hear you.  Your voice matters to me.  I love you all, and I am genuinely sorry for making a poor decision that had repercussions I didn’t fully consider.  I will take full responsibility for my actions and dedicate myself to making amends, so that my words and choices reflect the respect and care you deserve.”  What about the gay people in Saudi Arabia who finally got to see themselves represented onstage?  What about giving a voice to a different side of a repressed society?  Then again, how repressed can they be if they booked Jessica in the first place?  Should Pete Buttigieg not appear on FOX News because they are conservative?  Or aren’t those the very people he should reach out to?  While I recognize this is a tricky situation, I agree with Jessica’s first instinct to go, and feel she indeed made a big impact.  However, she’s now vowed to donate whatever she was paid to “to a human rights organization.  I made this decision because I want that money to go to an organization that can help combat these severe issues.”  While I think she can do whatever she wants, she certainly shouldn’t feel obligated to do anything other than keep the money she made for performing.  Just my two cents – which I’m giving out for free.