Portland’s women in comedy showcase, All Jane, No Dick, does not aim to prove that women are funnier than men… but, if you need proof, have a gander at the seriously unfunny “men’s rights activists” who are protesting the festival.
The annual festival, coming up Oct. 15, was founded by Stacey Hallal three years ago. All Jane, No Dick provides an enthusiastic stage for a diverse group of girl goofballs to shine in a business that, like most other businesses, regularly excludes and obscures women. Hallal notes, “Women represent about 17 to 19 percent of those working in the comedy industry…Comedy club bookers still hesitate to book more than one woman, if any, on a lineup.”
But some folks just don’t get it.
A misguided craigslist poster and his band of Merry Misogynists have promised to picket the festival all weekend long under the banner of “anti-sexism.” They have also been vandalizing promotional materials around town, replacing festival ads with their own ridiculous posters. The replacement posters are so unbelievable, featuring a warning about the impending dick severing at All Jane, they might have been confused for a guerrilla campaigning on behalf of the festival.
It bears repeating that All Jane, No Dick is enthusiastically diverse, with no official policy defining “female comedian” and an openness to showcase any funny folk who self-identifies as female. The goal is to get a taste of the range of comic perspectives and styles that exist, but are usually underrepresented in festivals, clubs, writing rooms, and on screen. This year’s lineup includes Phoebe Robinson of Broad City and Blaria, DeAnne Smith of Last Comic Standing, Aparna Nancherla of Conan, and a lotta other ladiez.
One of the comedians showcased in the festival actually tracked down the clueless mastermind behind the protest and interviewed him:
I find it hard to believe that women are being discriminated against in comedy. Why would they be? What’s the money in it? Who wants to have all men on a show? That doesn’t make any sense.
If you’re in Portland, and you notice any posters that stink of a cutely ignorant misunderstanding of feminism, please tear ‘em down, and enjoy the funny this weekend.
We all know who will get the last laugh.
Images and video via All Jane No Dick and Technology Tell
