Stand Out with Zoe Lyons, Jen Brister, and Suzi Ruffell

Comedians Zoe Lyons, Jen Brister, and Suzi Ruffell are about to embark on the first all lesbian comedy tour of the United Kingdom (or at least they think it is, Brister says we should just go with it, “Let’s just say yes, it’s important that I’m first at something.”)

Whether or not they deserve different coverage depends on your personal opinion. Lyons tackles this problem head on when she says, in reference to how she’d like things to change in the future, “I would like never to have to answer questions about being a lesbian comedian, because no-one cares for all the right reasons.”

Even so, we’re having this conversation so…

What’s funny about being a lesbian?
Brister: There is nothing funny about an earnest gay woman reading poetry by candlelight dressed in nothing but a waistcoat and a pair of vegan shoes while supping on a bowl of mung bean stew.
Ruffell: I think it sounds like a disease, I prefer a lady gay.
Lyons: The shoes.

Do think there is such a thing as 'lesbian duty' as in a responsibility to look out for other members of our community?
Lyons: Homophobia is still a sad fact of life. I remember how confused and lost I felt when I was a teenager coming to terms with my sexuality. Therefore it is really important that young lesbians and indeed those coming out later in life have some sort of support or at least a feeling that they are not alone. Some sense of community is important.

Would you ever identify yourselves as 'lesbian comedians' or as 'female comedians'? Are there instances of either helping or hindering your progress?
Lyons: I am a female, gay comedian working in a profession that is dominated by straight guys so of course people often mention it. Obviously when I get booked to do gigs for gay audiences I have been booked partially because I am gay. But most of my work is on the wider “straight” circuit. I am totally bored of the argument that it is harder being a female on the circuit. To be honest I just get on with it.
Ruffell: I prefer to just call myself a comedian. I talk about my sexuality in my set, it’s never been a problem, except once or twice when a man has offered to "fix me" I politely declined and carried on.
Brister: 
I'm a comedian and yes, I do identify as a woman, and yes, I am gay, but when I'm on stage I'm just me. Inevitably my material will be different from most white male comics, but I think audiences find it refreshing to hear a different perspective. Comedy is very much a boy's club and of course women find it harder to break into this business, you only have to see how many female comedians make it on to the television, or indeed how many women make up the bill of most comedy nights. I have found it helps to pretend to be a man to get the gig and then hope they don't notice when I arrive, "Sorry, were you expecting Ben Brister? No, I'm Jen Brister, don't be alarmed I'm still funny..." So far this has worked on literally no occasion whatsoever, but I haven't given up.

So, there you have it. Should you go and see them just because they're gay? Yes, of course. Support the community, lavish love on the lesbians, and if you happen to know whether Jen Brister is single, maybe let me know?