Fed Up With Sexual Harassment Chicago S Female Comics Call For Industry Blackout

     UPDATE: The date of the blackout and the meeting at the Laugh Factory has been changed to Sunday, January 31 in order to accommodate as many female comics as possible.

     As an alternative, Women in Comedy founder Victoria Elena Nones is encouraging female comics to gather at the Laugh Factory in Lakeview for a panel discussion lead by Kaethe Morris Hoffer, executive director of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.


     Julia Weiss, a local comedian who defended her colleagues from Halpern’s criticism, says that part of the problem comedy culture faces is the fine line between harassment and casual sexism; the police can’t step in if a women is being objectified in an improv scene. 

     Nones is planning a series of networking events and shows to help foster a sense of community among female comics and help them find the courage to come forward. She also hopes to help them move on. 

     “It looks good on paper,” Sabatier says, “but it needs to be put into practice.”