Margaret Cho: I Refer To Myself As Gay, But I Am Married To A Man (VIDEO)

In an interview with Edward Lewine, for the "New York Times Magazine," Margaret Cho said about sexual politics:

"I refer to myself as gay, but I am married to a man. Of course, I've had relationships with women, but my politics are more queer than my lifestyle."

Cho, who has spoken openly about both her heterosexual and homosexual relationships in her routines, grew up in San Francisco in the '70s and '80s and credits the gay men and drag queens she knew there for teaching her how to be herself and be brave. "If it were not for gay men, I would not talk to men at all...I am heterophobic," she said in her comedy special "I'm The One That I Want." (VIDEO BELOW)

Despite that statement she married artist/writer/straight man Al Ridenour in 2003, and says they have a different relationship than most:

"It's not a traditional situation. It's not a committed marriage. We're just friends who share space. My parents don't understand it. They just send us Yahoo E-cards wishing us well."

As a self described fag hag Cho believes she is "the backbone of the gay community," and wrote and starred an independent film in 2005 about a gay man and his best friend that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. She also participated in the Funny Or Die video criticizing Prop 8 supporters, and starred in the TV show "Rick & Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World." When gay marriage was legalized in California, Cho was deputized by the city of San Francisco to perform gay marriages there.

The interview she gave the "Times" mostly focused on her career and likes, but the comedian also addressed a disappointing encounter with Sharon Stone:

"She was very hot and very beautiful and such a big actress at the time. I asked her if I could take a picture with her, and she gave me a look with daggers. It was really crushing."

She might have had better luck with a gay male actor. Here are two videos from Cho's "I'm The One That I Want" in which she explains her affinity for both lesbians and gay men.

Cho on working on lesbian cruises and why lesbians "like whale watching more than pussy":

Cho on why she loves the word "faggot":

Comments

[austindc]

So funny! I can watch these same bits over and over and still laugh out loud. She was just at SxSW and I missed her show. Dang.

[alted1663]

WTF?

[BandH08]

Obama Biden are against gay marriage --- I wonder if Cho voted for them and why?

[CindyKay]

President Obama & VP Biden said basically , that although they personally did not believe in it , they see no justification in imposing their Religious beliefs onto All Americans.

[LadyBeryl]

I'm straight and think she is funny. This particular routine isn't her best but I like her style.

[marcain]

I've seen her funny on youtube in a routine she does about her mom. She said in an interview she banged Quentin Tarantino and Chris Issak and that Chris was so huge it was painful. I love Korean girls.

[kashifsaeed28]

Isn't that statement confusing? I am still scratching my head.

My blog:
http://project-you-are-not-alone.blogspot.com

[biskitdaddy]

No, sorry, she's unfortunately not very funny. But she does look hot in tight leather pants.

[antifluff]

Another example of redefining to confuse the average person. The public has been told that homosexuals cannot marry; this woman states that she is homosexual and married. Does that mean that same sex marriages are "additional rights" (above and beyond hetero sexual rights)? Redefinition complicates communication on all sides and does not help to "educate" anyone.

[OGoodGrief]

Dreadful. The venue must have given away free drinks in order to make sure the LGBT community in the crowd laughed at her jokes. And of course, if you're straight, you don't get it.

[starrianna]

Did she touch a nerve? If you don't get it, you wouldn't be so offended.

Think about that one.

[laureneg]

Okay, people, our finding her unfunny doesn't have to do with homophobic leanings.

I'm a queer hyper-feminist and even though I've tried over and over again to enjoy her stuff, she is not funny.

[nicholasjh1]

HAHA, sense of humor is definately relative. She is one of the few females I find to be funny.

[Mitzy]

Sorry, she's just not funny.

[webrock]

Margaret..What's it going to be? Do you want me!...Do you want her!...or her?...or that cross-dresser over there?....Please Margaret I need to know!..."Ah, decision, decision..."

[Propagandhi]

Gay or not gay, she is just an awful comedienne.

[janinius]

and you clearly have no sense of humor

[Propagandhi]

clearly.

[igorz]

Nope. She's just awful (not that there's anything wrong with that)

[starrianna]

It must be sad to take all the fun out of life and poop on it.

[Propagandhi]

I know, why does Cho continue the agony.

[Akat1973]

Maybe she is bisexual,maybe they swing?Maybe we shouldnt label people...let the heart love who it loves and all the rest will follow naturally.

[BoyInBOYCOTT]

Smooches to Margaret

don't worry hon, we've all done straight guys...LOL!