Bethany Black

Bethany Black

Bethany Black accuses The Stand of giving a platform to transphobics

Comic pulls gig because venue is also hosting a controversial SNP MP

Stand-up Bethany Black  has cancelled a gig at The Stand comedy club because it is also hosting an MP accused of being transphobic.

Black, who is trans, was due to play the club’s Glasgow venue as part of her forthcoming Always Bet On Beth tour.

But the sister site in Edinburgh is hosting an  ‘in conversation with..’ event with the SNP’s Joanna Cherry during the Fringe.

In a statement on Twitter, Black accused Cherry, who is a lesbian, of wanting to ‘exclude people like me from public life’.

The politician opposes policies that would allow people to self-identify as whatever gender they choose. She has also said that ‘women don't have penises’ is an ‘undeniable biological fact’ and argued that trans young people ‘must be treated like any other children with psychological problems’.

Black said she did not want to ask the trans community to ‘fund their own oppression’ by purchasing tickets for her show, which had been scheduled for May 15,

On Twitter, she wrote: "I’m very sad to announce that I will be cancelling the Glasgow date of my UK tour.

‘I have been informed that The Stand has programmed ‘An Evening with Joanna Cherry’ during the Edinburgh Fringe’ and I feel strongly that it’s inappropriate of me to perform at a venue promoting someone who has dedicated the last few years of their public life to trying to exclude people like me from public life.

‘I feel I also have a duty to my fans and my community not to ask them to help fund their own oppression.

‘I have always enjoyed playing Glasgow and playing The Stand has been a huge part of making me who I am as a comedian, so this is not a choice I make lightly and wish it wasn’t a choice I had to make at all.’

The Stand’s founder Tommy Sheppard is now an SNP MP. He has stepped back from the day-to-day running of the venues but is still a director of their parent company, Salt N Sauce Promotions. When Cherry faced criticism for her views in 2021, Sheppard said it  would be ‘strange’ if she was removed from her roles, describing her as ‘one of the SNP’s star performers’ in Westminster.

In Conversation with… Joanna Cherry is due to be held at The Stand’s New Town Theatre on August 10.

The Stand have been approached for comment but have not yet responded.

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Published: 31 Mar 2023

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Past Shows

Edinburgh Fringe 2008

Bethany Black: Beth Becomes Her


Edinburgh Fringe 2009

Bethany Black: Love And A Colt 45


Edinburgh Fringe 2016

Bethany Black: (Extra)Ordinary


Edinburgh Fringe 2018

Bethany Black: Unwinnable


Agent

We do not currently hold contact details for Bethany Black's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.

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