NEW ORLEANS – Now in its fifth year, LGBTLOL Queer Comedy Fest will return to New Orleans June 4–7, kicking off Pride Month by bringing together dozens of national and local LGBTQIA+ comedians for four days of stand-up comedy.
What began as a grassroots event among local comedians has quickly grown into a national festival that draws performers and audiences from across the country, all gathering in New Orleans to celebrate queer voices through comedy.
Organizers share that in just a few years, LGBTLOL has built a reputation for sold-out, standing-room-only shows across New Orleans, with audiences packing venues to see rising queer comedy stars. The festival now attracts visitors from across the Gulf South and beyond, turning the city into a destination for LGBTQIA+ comedy as Pride Month begins.
“Five years ago, we started LGBTLOL because queer comedians deserved a stage that was entirely ours,” said Drew Prestridge, festival co-founder and executive producer. “Now performers are traveling from across the country to experience queer comedy in New Orleans — a city that’s always embraced bold voices and big personalities. There’s no better place to kick off Pride Month. At a moment when LGBTQIA+ voices are under attack, we’re doing the opposite of shrinking: we’re getting louder, funnier, and more visible.”
More than 100 comedians from across North America applied to perform. National selected performers include:
- Nick Altishin (Portland, OR)
- Sami Beason (Denver, CO)
- Dían Cathal (Nanuet, NY)
- Brendan Creecy (Portland, OR)
- Nax Davis (Albuquerque, NM)
- Ren Q. Dawe (Boulder, CO)
- Nina Dicker (Los Angeles, CA)
- Eddie Estrada (New York, NY)
- Christopher Fakier (New York, NY)
- Allison Fine (Federal Way, WA)
- Nora Jefferies (Brooklyn, NY)
- Shannon Keye (Long Island City, NY)
- Aisha Khan (New York, NY)
- Roni Nicole (Raleigh, NC)
- Sarina Ochoa (Albuquerque, NM)
- June Opal (Albuquerque, NM)
- Delilah Orizaba (Chicago, IL)
- Manny Petty (Chicago, IL)
- Ron Popp (Chicago, IL)
- Caitlin Reese (New York, NY)
- Emma Schmuckler (Seattle, WA)
- Alex Slim (Albuquerque, NM)
- Scout Smith (Brooklyn, NY)
- Daisy Tackett (Jacksonville, FL)
- Rey Tang (Chicago, IL)
- Christopher Warren (Durango, CO)
- Beau Wilcox (New York, NY)
- Kade Wonders (Richmond, VA)
- Caleb Zeringue (San Francisco, CA)
New Orleans boasts an incredibly bold and diverse comedy scene, with queer comics leading the charge with sharp, fearless and wildly entertaining performances. Local selected performers include:
- Jade Brontë
- Laveau Contraire
- BB Croft
- Jeff D
- Debbie with a D
- Dori Dimplez
- Vantasia Divine
- Kat Dreher
- Lee Glass
- Mallory Head
- Jazzy
- Keeda with a Q
- Shep Kelly
- Jeez Loueez
- Lane Martin
- Tina McCrory
- Saya Meads
- Anastassia Medusa
- Nidia Morales
- Dallas Nelson
- DC Paul
- Prin Pelletier
- Ryan Rogers
- Ramsey Rohner
- Liv Sabo-Rush
- Laura Sanders
- Justice Singleton
- Madison Thomas
- Joseph Tolpi
- Alice Wiche
“The festival has become a launchpad for queer comics and a celebration of the incredible talent in New Orleans,” said Ryan Rogers, festival co-founder and New Orleans comedian. “It’s also proof that audiences — not just queer ones — are hungry for spaces where they can laugh together, see themselves reflected on stage, and support LGBTQIA+ artists.”
The four-day festival will take place at locations around the city including: Sports Drink Comedy Club, The Bourbon Pub & Parade, Oz, The Howlin Wolf, Urban South Brewery, and more.
Festival passes are on sale now, and Early Bird pricing lasts until April 1. Headliners will be announced soon.
For more information, tickets, announcements, and volunteer opportunities, visit LGBTLOL.com and follow @queercomedyfest on Instagram.