Worcester comedian Willow Marler wins LGBTQ+ comedy award

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:08 · Archive

Transgender comedian Willow Marler from Worcester has become the first trans winner of Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year award.

Willow Marler, a Worcester-based comedian, has become the first transgender winner of Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year award. The competition took place at London's Comedy Store, where a panel of celebrity judges assessed the performers.

Willow's set covered a range of topics including coming out, laser hair removal, misgendering, name changes and 'Woke Cluedo'. Judge James Barr praised the performance, saying: 'Comedy is at its best when it's a protest and when it's saying something. I genuinely believe that comedy is helping us move forward as a society, and Willow's comedy is doing exactly that.'

Willow reflected on the significance of the win, noting: 'It's not easy being trans, particularly at a time when we're being silenced, marginalised, and subjected to so much hatred. But the one thing I love about comedy is that I get to have a mic, I get to be on stage, and people just have to listen to me talking about being trans.'

Now in its fifth year, the competition attracted more than 140 entries from comedians across the country. Chris Smith, founder of Comedy Bloomers, said the win 'really demonstrates just how far LGBTQ+ comedy has come'. The competition is the UK's only dedicated showcase of its kind, offering emerging queer comedians a platform to develop their material and reach wider audiences.

How it is being reported

• Trans comedian makes history with LGBTQ+ comedy award winWorcester comedian Willow Marler becomes the first transgender winner of Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year award.Worcester News · 14 Nov, 05:00
• Trans comedian makes history with LGBTQ+ comedy award winWorcester comedian Willow Marler becomes the first transgender winner of Comedy Bloomers' LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year award.Malvern Gazette · 14 Nov, 05:00

In this story: Willow Marler · Comedy Bloomers · Worcester · Chloe Petts · Tia Kofi · James Barr · Josh Jones · Comedy Store

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