Watch: Aussie Queer Comic Cancels Show Over Jesus Joke Backlash
Watch Reuben Kaye address the cancellation of his upcoming date.
"Australian comic and cabaret performer Reuben Kaye has been forced to pull out of the Sydney Comedy Festival because of threatened protests from offended Christians," according to the website Chortle.
The performer said he could not guarantee the audience's safety had the show at the Enmore Theatre gone ahead as planned.
The cancellation follows backlash from a television appearance on the primetime TV show "The Project" last month and making a joke about Jesus.
In speaking about the abuse he has received from religious conservatives about being gay, he joked: "I think it's hilarious when someone messages me and says you have to accept Jesus' love or you will burn in hell — because I love Jesus. I love any man who can get nailed for three days straight and come back for more!"
On Instagram, he wrote: "Hello everybody, I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who sent in love about tonight's postponed show. It means the world and I just want to send love out there to any person queer or not who feels a lot of pressure right now. Don't stop and you're loved and held and we will remake this world so that we are safe."
Chortle added: "The comment caused outrage in some quarters, amplified by a tabloid press that quoted Charlie Bakhos of a group called Christian Lives Matter saying: 'We have all had enough and this show last night crossed the line with the mocking of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone needs to stand united and we need to put a stop to all this.'"
It is not known which group or groups had targeted Kaye's show.
But last month "the virulently anti-gay group hosted an event where pro-LGBTQ protesters were attacked by what they described as 'hundreds of far-right thugs,' a clash that resulted in the arrest of two men. Though Christian Lives Matter spokespersons fell decidedly silent following the incident, the denouncement of Kaye and reports of planned protests at his future shows has the comic canceling gigs [fearing for] his and his crew's safety," according to the website Cracked.
Announcing the postponement of his gig on social media, Kaye said: "Hey gang, you may have noticed that our show this week at the Enmore Theatre is postponed. Sorry, we had to do it."
"There were some planned protests that meant it would be very complicated and difficult for me to guarantee the audience's safety, the other comedian's safety, my safety, my band's safety, and even the safety of the businesses on Enmore Road," Kaye said.
"So we've postponed the show to a later date this year where it's easier for us to do that for you. But don't worry, we'll be back and I'll see you at the next gig."
The rescheduled gig will now take place on July 1.
Kaye has just completed a run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which passed without incident, and is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this August with his raucous late-night cabaret show The Kaye Hole," Chortle said.
"Following the backlash to Kaye's joke on 'The Project,' the programme's presenters issued an apology. Waleed Aly, who is Muslim, said: 'We want to acknowledge the particular offence that caused our Muslim viewers but especially our Christian viewers. Obviously I understand just how profound that offence was."
"It's fair to say we weren't expecting a comment like that to be made. We wouldn't normally broadcast a comment like that. We acknowledge the offence it caused and more than that we're sorry."
Chortle wrote that "Co-host Sarah Harris added: 'Live TV is unpredictable and when this happened in the last few moments of last night's show, it took us all by surprise, there wasn't a lot of time to react in any sort of considered way.'"