Day: April 1, 2015

Imagine you’re a woman and you’re funny, so you decide to pursue a career in comedy. Imagine that even just in making that decision, you’ve unintentionally invited lifetimes of structurally built-in gender bias against you. Sometimes subtle and subconscious, you’re ignored or overlooked when it comes to forming improv teams or lineups large and small for booked stand-up showcases. Sometimes a bit more sinister, as show hosts will remark upon your gender and your looks while introducing you and perhaps even after you’ve performed, as if your very existence is a novelty to be objectified. Sometimes you’re summarily dismissed,...