The History of LGBTQ+ Humor: From Camp Comedy to Modern Stand-Up

Humor has always been one of the most powerful tools for expression, connection, and resilience, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. For decades, queer humor has been a lifeline—a way to survive, to bond, to resist, and, above all, to remind ourselves of our collective strength. From the campy wit of early performers to the boundary-pushing stand-up of today’s LGBTQ+ comedians, queer humor has evolved in fascinating ways, shaping both entertainment and the LGBTQ+ rights movement along the way.

Let’s take a look back at the rich, hilarious history of LGBTQ+ humor, highlighting iconic comedians, pivotal moments, and the profound impact comedy has had on our journey toward equality.

1. Camp Comedy: Where It All Began

LGBTQ+ humor has roots in camp, a style known for its exaggeration, irony, and theatricality. Camp humor, with its flamboyant and playful edge, has been a part of queer culture since the early 20th century, especially in underground clubs and cabarets. Camp comedians used innuendo and double entendre to entertain queer audiences while flying under the radar of a society that policed LGBTQ+ identities. This was humor as survival—a subversive way to express queerness and build community in an otherwise hostile world.

Performers like Julian Eltinge, a famed drag performer of the 1910s and 1920s, and Mae West, whose irreverent style and support for LGBTQ+ rights made her an early ally, laid the groundwork for LGBTQ+ humor by embracing exaggeration, winking at stereotypes, and celebrating fluid identity. Camp humor offered LGBTQ+ people a mirror, a way to laugh at themselves and the world around them, all while affirming their right to exist and find joy.

2. The Golden Age of Drag and the Power of Parody

In the 1960s and ’70s, drag exploded as a form of comedic expression, taking camp to new heights. Drag queens took to the stage with biting parody, exaggerated femininity, and humor that poked fun at rigid gender norms and social conventions. They used humor to create larger-than-life characters who could be bold, unapologetic, and fabulously queer.

Divine, the iconic drag queen and star of John Waters’ films, epitomized this era’s audacious humor. With her outrageous style and fearless approach, Divine pushed boundaries that had rarely been tested, even in the queer community. Her humor was confrontational and unapologetic, giving audiences permission to laugh at things society considered taboo.

This period also saw the rise of Stonewall Inn in 1969, where the riots against police harassment sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Humor was an integral part of that resilience, and it continued to play a role in the way the community processed and fought back against discrimination.

3. The Birth of Out Gay Comics: Coming Out and Comedy Collide

By the 1980s and ’90s, out LGBTQ+ comedians were starting to claim their space in mainstream stand-up, often sharing personal stories about coming out, relationships, and the quirks of queer life. This era brought a wave of LGBTQ+ comics who shared their experiences on stage, blending humor with the realities of coming out, discrimination, and identity exploration.

Kate Clinton, one of the first openly lesbian stand-up comedians, made waves with her fearless and politically charged humor. Clinton’s comedy was groundbreaking; she tackled subjects like feminism, AIDS, and LGBTQ+ rights with humor that educated as much as it entertained. Her willingness to be openly gay on stage opened doors for other queer comics to follow suit, helping to shift the conversation around LGBTQ+ people and normalizing queer identity in mainstream comedy.

Similarly, Ellen DeGeneres brought queer humor to a massive television audience in the ’90s, first through her stand-up and then with her groundbreaking coming-out episode on her sitcom, Ellen. Her choice to publicly come out changed the game, making LGBTQ+ humor more visible and accessible, even if it came at a personal and professional cost. By blending humor with vulnerability, Ellen made a powerful statement about the importance of authenticity and the courage it takes to be yourself.

4. Humor in the Face of Adversity: AIDS, Activism, and Dark Comedy

The AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s cast a dark shadow over the LGBTQ+ community, but comedy persisted as a tool for resilience and advocacy. LGBTQ+ comics used humor to cope with the trauma, fear, and loss of the epidemic, helping audiences process grief and find solace in solidarity.

Comedians like Bob Smith, the first openly gay comedian to appear on The Tonight Show, and Lea DeLaria, who later became the first openly lesbian comic to perform on a late-night talk show, were instrumental in pushing boundaries during this period. They mixed comedy with sharp social critique, addressing the realities of AIDS, stigma, and bigotry, while creating space for LGBTQ+ audiences to grieve and laugh together.

Comedy was also an essential part of ACT UP protests and AIDS activism, with activists using dark humor and biting satire to challenge government inaction and societal apathy. Through comedy, they exposed the absurdity and cruelty of discrimination, forcing the public to confront the human toll of prejudice.

5. Modern LGBTQ+ Stand-Up: Diverse Voices, Bold Stories

Today, LGBTQ+ comedians are more visible and diverse than ever. Queer comics are not only out on stage, but they’re also sharing a wider range of stories, perspectives, and identities—from trans and non-binary experiences to the intersections of queerness and race. The LGBTQ+ comedy landscape now reflects the diversity within the community, pushing representation forward and ensuring that all voices are heard.

Modern LGBTQ+ comedians like Hannah Gadsby, Jaboukie Young-White, Joel Kim Booster, and Sam Jay are redefining what queer comedy looks like. Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette shook the comedy world with its blend of humor and social critique, confronting trauma, misogyny, and the limits of self-deprecating humor in a society that marginalizes queer people. By rejecting the typical stand-up formula, Gadsby challenged audiences to rethink what comedy could accomplish.

Similarly, Jaboukie Young-White uses humor to explore race, sexuality, and internet culture, connecting with younger audiences through his irreverent and boundary-pushing style. These comedians use humor to shed light on the nuances of queer life, and they’re not afraid to challenge social norms, explore vulnerability, or confront hard truths—all while making people laugh.

6. The Power of Humor in the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement

LGBTQ+ humor has always been more than just entertainment. It’s a form of resistance, a celebration of identity, and a way to build community. Through humor, LGBTQ+ comedians have challenged stereotypes, opened minds, and amplified the voices of those who have been historically silenced. The evolution of queer humor reflects the progress we’ve made in society, and the courage it takes to stand up and be counted.

As LGBTQ+ rights continue to be challenged and redefined, humor remains a powerful tool in the fight for equality. By laughing together, we create connections that bridge differences, soften prejudice, and foster understanding. LGBTQ+ humor doesn’t just make us laugh—it reminds us of our resilience, our diversity, and our collective power.

Whether it’s through the high camp of drag, the punchlines of modern stand-up, or the dark satire of activist protests, queer humor continues to be a force for change. It’s proof that laughter really can be a form of liberation.

For more on the evolution of LGBTQ+ humor and to follow along with the Here to Pee tour, check out my Instagram @RenQComedy. Together, we’ll keep the laughs (and the progress) rolling forward!