The latest installment of Chicago History Museum's "Out at CHM" series, held March 10, focused on the LGBT community's relationship to comedy, especially in Chicago's improv and stand-up scenes.
That relationship has long been a complicated one, noted writer Jason Heidemann, who added, "Even in the dark times when there were no out people, there were LGBT people in Chicago theater."
Scholar and artist E. Patrick Johnson noted the historical resilience of camp performance, noting venues existed all over the city. "We created community and there were performances going on," Johnson said.
But it has taken decades for there to be a tangible queer presence in the city's comedy scenes. Andy Eninger, who heads up Second City's writing center, said LGBT people "were not represented. That style of comedy was very much a boy's club."
Heidemann spoke about being a huge stand-up fan growing up, especially of Eddie Murphy's performances, many of which were homophobic. "He was an incredible talent," he said. "Nobody would have thought to call him out about that back then."
Comedians gradually became prominent prominent in gay vacation spots and on cruises, according to Johnson. Eninger also spoke about rising LGBT visibility in training centers such as Second City and iO Chicago.
The panel was moderated by actor/performer Abby McEnany. Members of the GayCo comedy troupe also performed.