The unmistakable Cho

by Hannah Clay Wareham

Bay Windows

Tuesday October 19, 2010

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Queer comedian Margaret Cho is making an appearance in Boston this month, and answered Bay Windows' reader questions!

The notorious Margaret Cho is kicking off Halloween weekend with a Boston stop on her "Cho Dependent" tour. The comedian -- and recent "Dancing With The Stars" alum -- will appear at The Wilbur Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 28. For those particularly devoted Cho fans, tickets can be purchased from Boston Pride (www.bostonpride.org) that include a pre-show reception at the W Hotel and autographed swag.

Cho chatted with Bay Windows about her tattoos, favorite yoga poses, and why she still considers herself "politically queer."

Bay Windows: I loved the rainbow dress you wore on "Dancing With The Stars." What was your favorite part about being on that show?

Margaret Cho: I loved dancing and learning so much about performing this way. I loved making a great gay pride statement with my dancing and I just had a blast on the show overall. It was fantastic.

BW: After same-sex marriage became legal in California, you were deputized to perform marriages. How many weddings did you officiate?

MC: I performed two ceremonies in City Hall and now have performed more in Massachusetts as I have also been ordained as a Universal Life minister. I can perform ceremonies everywhere as they become legal.

BW: How many tattoos do you have, and which is your favorite?

MC: I have somewhere between 30 and 35 small tattoos which link together, but I don't have a favorite, really -- they're all great!

BW: You made a public service announcement about anti-gay bullying. How have the recent suicides of teenagers across the U.S. affected you?

MC: I am broken-hearted. I was bullied so much as a child and a teenager, much of it because of my sexuality and my weight. I have been there, and I know firsthand how painful and lonely it is. I want to reach out to these kids, and I also danced a gay pride celebration dance in order to address it. It is a major issue facing not only our community, but the world.

BW: You released your first full-length music album in August. What's it like to be a pop star?

MC: I love it -- I love singing and playing guitar. It's another way for me to do stand-up comedy. It is a way for me to stretch creatively, and I can really sing!

BW: Our readers sent in a couple questions for us to ask you. What's your favorite yoga pose?

MC: I like downward dog and, of course, triangle.

BW: Do you still consider yourself "politically queer"?

MC: I am. Life queer, politically queer, socially queer -- just plain queer!

BW: What was the most intriguing thing you saw in Provincetown this year?

MC: Lots of fantastic drag, the ever-hilarious Ryan Landry, the amazing Dina Martina, and very unseasonable rain!

To purchase tickets to Margaret Cho's Oct. 28 show, sponsored in part by Logo TV and the W Hotel, please visit www.bostonpride.org. Cho's first full-length music album Cho Dependent is available at www.margaretcho.com and at your local music store.

Copyright Bay Windows. For more articles from New England's largest GLBT newspaper, visit www.baywindows.com