Entertainment
Silverman & Galifianakis Stand With Vaginas
This past weekend Sarah Silverman and Zach Galifianakis joined forces for "A Night of a Thousand Vaginas," a comedy live event to raise money for women’s reproductive rights in Texas. Taking on the issue of abortion in Texas is no small feat and with the help of actresses Martha Plimpton and Sarah Thyre, who organized the fundraiser, the comedians brought in more than $20,000. The show is part of the “A is For” network which supports state-by-state legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights.
The sold-out show took place at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles and included all-star attendees like Retta, Laura Kightlinger, Josh Homme, Steve Agee, Jen Kirkman, Tiffany Haddish and Andy Richter. Along with the $100 ticket prices, “A Night of a Thousand Vaginas” raised funds with a spur-of-the-moment auction. Phyllis Diller’s white feather hat went for $750 after a heated (and hilarious) bidding war between Michael Sheen and Raising Hope showrunner Mike Mariano.
Silverman took to the stage and stated, "Our rights are being chipped away at,” while sporting an “I stand with Texas Women.” Though the night was filled with comedy, it focused on a very serious issue. And in turn, conservative media outlets and Texas government officials responded heatedly.
Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst asked his supporters to, "stand with me today and stop Hollywood from its destructive liberal behavior... Hollywood believes so strongly in ending innocent life, that it's using jokes to raise money to fund abortions.... It's disturbing that people who don't even reside in Texas feel the need to change our laws, and use comedy as a way to raise money for a medical procedure that can deeply harm the health of a woman, not to mention end an innocent life."
Fox News and Radio host Glenn Beck urged his listeners, “What this is really about is changing the culture in Texas. They are doing everything they can — the progressives — to center in on Texas. If they get Texas, we are done... What do you think immigration reform is for? Why do you think they wanted to make sure that everybody can vote without any kind of ID whatsoever? It is because if you can flip Texas, you are finished. Why do you think we have been saying, ‘Move to Texas’?”
Yikes. Well fellas, events like “A Night of a Thousand Vaginas” are using comedy as a medium for addressing the very issues that are damaging to women’s health and rights — not making light or “joking” about abortion. Comedy is a very powerful tool for digging into the heart and truth of a societal hot-button issue. Have a look at some of our favorite comedians addressing the scary problems women face every day — from basic safety and health to beauty demands to just straight-up celebrating women’s sexuality (Run for the hills! Vaginas are crossing borders!).
