Jessica Kirson Apologizes for Performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival,โ Donates Fee to Human rights institution
Los Angeles, CA -โ November 2, 2023 – Comedian Jessica โฃKirson has issued a lengthy statementโ expressing “sincere regret” for her participation in the Riyadh Comedy Festivalโข in โSaudi Arabia on September 29th. The announcement comes amidst controversy surrounding theโฃ festival, withโ some comedians facing criticismโ for performing in a country with a documented history of human rights violations.
Kirson’s statement, released today, details โขher reasoning for accepting the โขinvitation, explaining she โขsoughtโ and received a guarantee she could perform openly as a lesbian and include gay material in โขher set.”As โan openly gayโ person, โwhen I was asked toโ perform โขin Riyadh, I was surprised,” Kirson wrote. “I โฃrequested a guarantee that I could be openly โขout as a lesbian on stage and perform gay material. I hoped thatโ this could help LGBTQ+ people โฃinโ Saudi Arabia feel seen and valued.”โ She stated she believes โshe is โthe first openly gay comic to address these topics on stage in Saudi Arabia andโฃ received messages from โattendees expressing gratitude for the representation.
Despite this,โฃ Kirson acknowledged the problematic โคnature of performing under the auspices of the Saudi government. “At the same time, I deeply regret participating under the auspicesโค of the โSaudi government,” she stated.
To demonstrate her commitmentโข to human rights, Kirson announced she has donated her entire performance fee to a human rights organization. “I have donated theโข entiretyโ of what I was paid to โperform there to a human rights โขorganization. Iโฃ made โฃthis decision because I want that money โto go โto an organization that can help combat these severe issues,” she explained.
The comedianโ also acknowledged the differing viewpoints of her fellow performers, noting Bill Burrโ recently defended his decision to participate, calling it aโฃ “great experience.” Kirsonโ emphasized the โคimportance of open dialogโ and respecting diverseโ perspectives.
Kirson concludedโฃ her statement with a direct apology to her fans,particularly within the queer community,acknowledging the disappointment her decision caused. “Most โimportantly, I am deeply sorry to all the fans andโ followers โคI have hurtโ or disappointed,” she wrote. “I โwill take full responsibility forโค my actions and dedicate myself to making amends, so that โmy words and choices reflect theโข respect and care โขyou deserve.”