*This September, Logo TV hosted its first queer show, “Logo Variety Hour” at the charming Bob Baker Marionette Theater in Los Angeles. “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars” winner Trixie Mattel hosted the event which featured an impressive lineup of queer comedians and performances, and vocal styling’s of Mattel herself.
A stand out among the stand ups was Dewayne Perkins, who headlined the show. His comedy set focused on living in Los Angeles [by way of New York and Chicago’s south side] and a hilarious coming out story. Perkins realized he was gay while losing his virginity to a girl at her grandparents’ house in high school.
“I go in with a sense of entitlement, for so long people like me were not allowed in these spaces, so now that you’ve allowed me in this space, you done f***ed up, I don’t have to listen to anything none of y’all say.” Perkins said about any barriers or difficulties he’s experienced as an openly gay creative.
May we all be as fearless and fiercely seize our own opportunities when within reach. The “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” writer assured the audience that even though he’s gay, he’s no softie, admitting in third grade he brought a pair of garden shears to school to exact revenge on a bully.
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The 48-year-old brilliantly mixes his routine with personal anecdotes to reveal the greater complexities of existing in this country as a Black gay man and the unique intersections of race, religion, and class!
It has been a landmark year for queer entertainers and content featuring stories unique to the LGBTQ community. At this year’s Emmy Awards, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” won in the Reality-Competition Program category and Billy Porter became the first openly gay actor to win the category of Best Actor for his wide-ranging and vibrant portrayal of Praytell on FX’s ground-breaking “Pose,” a show exploring the lives of trans and gay people finding community and self-expression in the New York City ballroom scene in the late 80’s.
In 2015, during Viola Davis’ Emmy acceptance speech she famously said, “the only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.” The same is true for queer and trans artists. There is obviously no shortage of talent and ability among queer artists; what has been missing, however, is opportunity. Not just opportunity in the shallow sense of having more roles—that’s important as well—but the opportunity to be fully seen and received in their fullness.
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And this is what makes “Logo Variety Hour” extraordinary! The performers were given the opportunity in a safe space to fully and unapologetically express their creative selves. In a world were comedians are cancelled for racist, homophobic, or sexist behavior, it’s refreshing to see queer comedians claim space and thoughtfully deliver routines with style and finesse.
“Logo Variety Hour” airs on Logo TV this fall, check your local listings for more details.
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