I usually dont comment on these subjects because no matter what I say I am sure I will upset someone. I just felt I needed to share this. I am a female, I am 6' 2", I am black, I am lesbian, I grew up poor and in the projects, and what seems to be the most common topic of comedians is that I am a cop. In one way or another I have been the topic of black, white, straight, gay, lesbian, mexican etc comedians. I laugh at them all. The reason I can is because I am so confident in myself and that I am more than they could ever sum up in their hour long show. I learned to be honest with the fact that most things have something funny about them. Gina talked about black peoples hair, shortly afterwards I was asked if it was true. I wasnt offended and answered, "for the most part yes". I swam because I had braids (easier to maintain) but my girlfriend would not put her head under the water (she would have favored a black Q tip)! I was at breakfast and was asked if I was looking for the doughnuts (cop joke)! I am constantly asked, "hows the air up there", and probably any tall joke you can think of. I have even be called sir a few times when I am in my workout gear (a bandana, baseball cap, basketball shorts and sneakers). As a cop I am called dyke by strangers, bitch by men who beat their wives, and stuck up by cooworkers I refuse to sleep with! SO WHAT! The female officers I work with some straight and some not, all have this motto, "whatever you say, as long as I get home tonight". We just laugh, its more effective than getting angry anyway (try it when someone insults you or makes you feel bad) If name calling, personal opinions and jokes are hurting you then please learn to deal with the people who dont think like you. If you dont it will tear you apart. All the precious time spent on hurt feelings cant be returned to you. I know somethings are really mean but love who you are, laugh and move on. I hope that this has helped atleast one of you. It was not meant to harm.

P.S: I didnt think she was funny either (LOL) but to each her own. Have a wonderful day all! Love ya "Olivia" family.

I just think comedians (across the board) need to be very wary of the comedy they perform and understand the dangers of who they can offend. I think "knowing your audience" is the key to a successful comedian. She took the danger level to a 10 hitting on SUCH a sensitive issue. I found Julie to be too loud for the venue and her material didn't hit my funny bone like the others.  I left before the woman comment. I was having problems with my contact lens, but it was too loud and the comedy weird, spastic and inappropriate. (for my taste)

I ABSOLUTELY will travel with Olivia again. I found their service, people, location, etc to be incredible.. I hope everyone on this thread can hold the positive, fun memories close and not let a risky, offensive comedian ruin their trip or view of Olivia. I also hope Julie reads this thread and can take to heart the feelings she left certain people with.

If she respects and empathizes with her audience and changes her material, then she can reclaim being a respectable comedian that puts her audience ABOVE her own feelings about her jokes. (Besides the fans she's lost recently.) That is the job of a GREAT comedian.

All she has to do is ask herself "What do I want my comedy legacy to be?" if this is part of it, she's on track and good for her. If not, well, there are THOUSANDS of funny things in the world to make into comedy. Trans jokes don't have to be on the agenda with so much OTHER comedy in the world...

From what I've learned about Olivia, they care deeply about the concerns of their customers and I believe they will review this thread with care. If not, then next trip, I'll meet up with you all and we'll have a party by the pool, drinks in hand, and make our own comedy show!

danceswithwind, maybe you're misunderstanding the purpose of this post string. the people who were discussing  julie's material were doing so to show support and solidarity with the trans community and highlight blatant oppression within the comedy sketch. nobody was bashing butch dykes or people "like you" for being a butch dyke. the issue was in the subject of the routine, not about who julie is. and also, who are you to assume what priviledge anybody but yourself enjoys? picking fights with other posters about who you think they are is really not facilitating discussion, but again, perpetrating oppression within our community. everyone on the olivia vacation was there because they believed that it was the right place for them... whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, or other. My issue is that people have identities and that we should all be able to express them, especially in a "lesbian" space, without the threat of being attacked.

I think that if someone had remarked that lesbians were "making up their identities" as lesbians, and Julie was making fun of that, this would be a VERY different conversation with MUCH less polarization. Just trying to put things in perspective.

Well you said it perfectly. It's Julie's blatant promotion of the idea that transgendered people are "making up their identities" that is upsetting. I understand that most comedian's make fun of people and I'm not one to say that it is inappropriate but there is a difference between good natured making fun and outright invalidating someone's existance. I think a lot more people would have been upset if it was 30 years ago and she had been implying that lesbianism was a choice. Unfrotunately, that is the fight that transgendered people are fighting NOW. To be on a trip designed to celebrate that we have overcome that ignorance in parts of our community and invalidate the identies of others is awful. Funny or not.

I totally accept the old "to each their own". I will point out that the group topic is "in support of the transgendered members of our community" not the " I loved the Julie Goldman show". I have seen Julie on TV doing other stand up routines, and at the time did find her humor funny, it's just this one routine has left a bad taste in my mouth and she seems to be taking it around the world. I understand we all have questions about each other, but it's as easy as asking. It would have been funny had not it taken up most of the show and been so irate. I didn't find the whole humor on Chaz start up (personally I don't think Chaz creates humor) Perhaps that's her way. I'm not transgendered, however I also don't feel if you have a va-j-j your a woman and that's that. I did stay for the entire show, and did hear her say "call your self whatever you choose, and be happy" but that too was said in a joking way (yes I know she's a comedian expect it). I'm not here to blackball Julie just voice an opinion that I'm not the only one with. I had a great trip and weather Julie performs or not will for sure go on another Oliva. And yes pick my performances accordingly.

It's all good everybody! Enjoy life!!

Heidi 

 

I too really enjoyed Julie's performance. What I heard her making fun of was not the trans community, but people who just make stuff up about their identity and then act precious about it. Take, for example, an individual who currently enjoys the privilege of both public heterosexuality and legal-everywhere heterosexual marriage who goes on a lesbian vacation and then finds it appropriate to publicly criticize a butch dyke (like me) for possibly making the space feel less safe for others. Julie seemed to find that kind of myopic stance about identity hilarious and so do I. (Oh dear, I hope I haven't just made the near-sighted community feel unsafe...)

.... I just wanted to be a voice to say that I want Julie Goldman on other Olivia trips. I hope that happens and those that don't enjoy the show can skip it.

 

Amen Gadgette! We skipped lots of the comedy shows because we knew the comedians were not our kind of humor. It's just that easy, don't support those that you do not care for and move on. There was plenty to do without going to the comedy shows each night. We were there every night for Tisha's announcements (and pulling of a 2 for 1) and then left to hang out elsewhere. 

Censoring comics, IMHO, is bordering on limiting free speech. 

 

Julies brand of humor was not for us. However we had a wonderfull time talking with you and your partner afer the show Gadgette you are both cool people.

I think that we just need to agree to disagree on this one. I just wanted to be a voice to say that I want Julie Goldman on other Olivia trips. I hope that happens and those that don't enjoy the show can skip it.

What is the difference? Basically it is OK to make fun of one group of people but not another?

 

there is a HUGE difference between someone saying "i don't like you or care how your vacation is" or talking about pets for emotional support and telling someone "you have a vagina, therefore you're a woman" and/or calling someone "it".

Thanks for chiming in here. I am glad I am not alone with my view :)

I loved Julie's show. Great art is always polarizing, and it was a huge relief to not have to listen to another schtick about the Club Med lesbian experience. I think Julie aired the great big stinky bag of internal questioning that all of us have had or encountered at one time or another about trans, gender roles, definitions, names, gender pronouns, culture, women's workshops, communal living, weddings, hippies, being Jewish, and the Bayyy Aaaaurea. She pointed out the irony of gender definitions and complete irreverence that physiology has for our stated rules. For those that were too offended to listen closely or stay for the finish, she sent a pretty clear message - do whatever makes you happy and call yourself whatever you want but you must understand that there are sometimes extremes that are just too damn funny not to joke about. Like some of the best South Park or Family Guy episodes - uncomfortable and hilarious.

5 in the box and a thumb.