An explosion of rainbows and sunshine take over comedy stages across the country in June every year for Pride, a whole month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ self-expression filled with positivity and love for identifiers and allies alike. Pride Month began in 1968 after the Stonewall riots, a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights, but the real party started in 1999, when the month was recognized by the federal government as Gay and Lesbian Pride. Fast-forward to 2024, and Pride is celebrated around the globe, raising awareness with parades, parties, drag and, of course, comedy.
Enter: the Big Happy Tour. The goal of L.A.
-based comedians, podcasters and super-hustlers Jade Catta-Preta and Billie Lee was for the Big Happy Tour to “create an unforgettable experience through laughter and inclusivity, while uplifting and amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ comedians.” Lee, who is a trans activist, author of the upcoming book “Why Are You So Sensitive?” and sometimes appears on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” and actress, host and singer Catta-Preta, who identifies as pansexual, also learned many lessons along the road to lining up their first cross-country Pride tour. The comedic roster includes Chaunte Wayans, Joel Kim Booster, Nicky Paris, Mx Dahlia Belle, Mav Viola, Emma Willmann, Alex English, and Abe Farrelly.
On Friday, the Big Happy Tour will be officially born as America’s first national LGBTQ+ Pride Comedy Tour at the Bourbon Room in L.A., and there really is no better.