Wanda Sykes Uses Comedy to Increase Support for Same-Sex Marriage Wanda Sykes is a famous comedian. Her talent has scored her a role in many different types of popular productions, including The Chris Rock Show, a late night comedy talk show, and Monster-in-Law, a romantic-comedy movie. She has won an American Comedy Award, a BET Comedy Award, a Stephen F. Kolzak Award, and a Primetime Emmy for her performances. Entertainment Weekly also included her on the list, America’s 25 Funniest People. It is clear to see that Sykes has been very successful. In 2008, Sykes attended a pro-gay marriage rally in Las Vegas. At this rally, she publically announced that she is homosexual (“Biography for Wanda Sykes”). After this announcement, Sykes began to add things about homosexuality into her standup comedy routines. In a YouTube clip called, “Wanda Sykes on Gay Marriage”, she dove deep into the controversy of gay marriage and shared her endorsing thoughts on the subject. Consequently, support for same-sex marriage is at stake in her comedy. Her goal was to gain support, but there was no way for her to know how her audience would respond. Wanda Sykes used her comedy to poke holes in the logic of people who do not support same-sex marriage, in hopes that it will change their opinion, and produce an increase in the support for same-sex marriage. In “Wanda Sykes on Gay Marriage,” Sykes opened by saying “I’m for gay marriage” (Sykes 0:12). The crowd broke out in a supportive applause at those words. Sykes explained that she did not understand why some people get so distressed about gay marriage when it does not directly affect their day-to-day life. “If you don’t believe in same sex marriage, then don’t marry somebody of the same sex” (0:30). That statement makes the controversy of gay marriage seem fairly simplistic, but in reality that is not the case.
Same-sex marriage is a