Not a Good Day, Possums?

[MockerstheFeManist]

Cross-dresser in trouble for transgender comments:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-47943745

In another controversy, he claimed to have been speaking in character when he referred to gender-reassignment surgery as "self-mutilation" in a 2016 interview with The Telegraph. He also described Caitlyn Jenner as a "publicity-seeking rat-bag".

He capitulated when he claimed to be 'speaking in character'. It was probably, in hindsight and taking account of what just happened to John-the-author, a bad idea.

"One of the world's top comedy festivals will no longer use comedian Barry Humphries' name for its chief prize, after he was accused of transphobia.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival said its prestigious Barry Award for best show would be renamed.

Humphries, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, has repeatedly drawn anger for his comments on transgender people - and later defended himself.

His remarks had "definitely played a part" in the change, the festival said.
Humphries, 88, has not responded to the festival's decision

Last year, he drew criticism for describing being transgender as "a fashion".

In another controversy, he claimed to have been speaking in character when he referred to gender-reassignment surgery as "self-mutilation" in a 2016 interview with The Telegraph. He also described Caitlyn Jenner as a "publicity-seeking rat-bag".

He has previously said his comments were misinterpreted, but they have been criticised by other high-profile comedians - including former Barry Award winner Hannah Gadsby.

Humphries co-founded the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1987, and it is now one of the world's premier comedy events. Its top prize has been named in his honour since 2000.

On Tuesday, festival director Susan Provan said in a statement: "It is time for the award for most outstanding show to be in our name to celebrate the city that inspired the growth of our festival and its outstanding artists."

She told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Humphries' recent comments were "not helpful" and had helped instigate the decision.

Gadsby criticised Humphries when she accepted the award in 2017 for her show Nanette, now a worldwide success on Netflix.

"I don't agree with a lot of the things Barry Humphries has said recently," she said at the time.
"It is not something I will walk past. With full respect, I would like to accept this award just for me."
Previous winners of the award include Ross Noble, The Mighty Boosh, Demetri Martin and Nina Conti."

Good on Barry Humphries for not jumping on the bandwagon, like sodding Eddie Izzard!

”Humphries co-founded the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1987, and it is now one of the world's premier comedy events. Its top prize has been named in his honour since 2000.”

So many honours are stripped away from those who’ve earned them by this ideological frenzy. Doesn’t matter how much you’ve done in the past, it’ll be removed the instant you speak up to criticise any aspect of the new religion.

Another article you expect to be a spoof, then there is no punchline.

My dad loved Barry Humphries. He would nearly cry laughing at Les Patterson the cultural attaché with food stains down his tie.

Humphries was (and presumably still is) groundbreaking, sharp and intelligent. Fascinating stuff. I hope the comedians he helped to elevate don't chuck him under the bus for thought crimes.

But Dame Edna is under the trans umbrella!

Bigots!

The "Melbourne Housewife" superstar reminds me of someone.

I loved Dame Edna when I was a kid! I can’t believe how many people are losing things they’ve worked for simply because they hold beliefs and opinions others don’t like. This is just not right.

This makes me so angry and also quite sad. What a savage thing to do. He co-founded the bloody festival! How can comedians not understand the concept of free speech? Also he's not said anything that outrageous. Jenner is prime material for a comedian. Comment in the telegraph was hardly extreme.

Also, I seem to recall Gadsby being a wee bit scathing about being told to come out as transgender...

"Last year, he drew criticism for describing being transgender as "a fashion"."

He's right though. It is.

Jenner is prime material for a comedian.

Yes and Ricky Gervais loves to make fun of them! With no fucks given.

I absolutely love Barry Humphries and Dame Edna. Marvellous.

Isn't he a friend of Germaine Greer's too?

Heretic!

Many years ago I was able to watch Barry Humphries, dressed as and looking like himself, rehearse a short performance as Dame Edna. The voice and mannerisms were expressed during that rehearsal and he was funny. Then, later in the evening he appeared for his performance in full costume as Dame Edna and the transformation was astonishing .. he was so utterly in character and I realised that rehearsal had been a subdued version of his Dame character. He was a completely different character ... full on Dame Edna. It was astonishing to witness the difference. I realised what a skillful actor he is.

Trans misery-guts activism again. Gosh, I wonder who's going to win the 'Comedy' Festival's major prize this year. It'll be a genuine surprise, I'm sure. /s