Queer people experience homophobia in the 2020’s just as they did in previous decades, and centuries, but it is often tempered by increasing numbers of allies who are willing to stand with us and speak truth on our behalf.  The Derivative Duo used comedy to explain our lives and encourage empathy from people who might otherwise have been critical or rejecting. 

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The following is a letter from a man who saw The Derivative Duo at The Seattle Folklife Festival in 2004.  The Duo’s Folklife programs tended to be directed to a more general audience, with perhaps one gay-themed song.  Apparently, he could read in the program about other recent performances, including a Gay Comedy Festival in Toronto.  While he seemed to enjoy the show, his homophobia is on full display in the letter below.

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“Dear Barb and Susan,

I would like to know when you will give a performance again…However, I must tell you that I will not come if you glorify homosexuality and bash Conservatives in your renditions.  I assume you are definitely Democrats and on the far Left because you performed at the International Gay/Lesbian Comedy Festival.  There is nothing to glorify about homosexuality, with AIDS and all.  I suggest that you read the book: “The Homosexual Agenda.”  I know you have some really nasty names for people like me because I experienced that on the street in front of Safeco Field on May 1, 2004 with the May Day for Marriage Rally.”

 

We replied:

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“We are indeed gay and we do sing about our lives.  In that way, we probably differ in our views from you.  Susan and I have been a couple for over 20 years and are solid members of our respective families, neighborhood, work places and community.  We don’t really have an “agenda”, other than that we want to live our lives together in safety, dignity with mutual respect in our relationships with the people around us.  We use comedy as our medium because we find we are able to demonstrate our truth about ourselves in a way that doesn’t insult or hurt others. 

 

We do criticize, or even ridicule the extreme right-wing (those crazies who picket gay funerals or advocate hurting or killing gays), but if you enjoy Folklife, you are surely not in that camp.  I think there is room for discussion between people of goodwill.

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I think you would probably find much of what we sing about to be unfamiliar.  It might even make you uncomfortable.  Please know, however, that Susan and I probably have very similar values to yours in terms of family, work ethic, community and making the world a more compassionate place than we found it.”

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Music and comedy can also normalize feelings and behaviors, so that young people feel less alone. This is a postcard from a mother who played our first recording for her adolescent daughter in 1994:

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“U gals are great!  I bought your CD at Xmas after I heard “The Gato in the Grotto” on the radio.  I gave it to my high school aged daughter who is studying opera, without having listened to the other songs on the recording.  When we listened to it, I was afraid she was going to react negatively to some of the songs, but days later, she was singing ‘Think I’ll Grow Up to Be a Dyke’ quite cheerily.  I think that she has experienced some name-calling at school since she is quite strong and outspoken, and this song gave her a positive, happy image of a dyke.  I’m sure it eased some pain.  Thank you.”

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As we look back, we’re pleased to have been part of the movement toward full acceptance and equality for LGBTQ people.  We still have a long way to go and we proudly pass the baton to the next generations of activists and performers.