OFC Exclusive: Wanda Sykes on LGBT rights, race, and Madonna’s half-time show

Wanda Sykes has become an icon for LGBT rights. Since coming out in 2008 when she married her partner, Sykes has stumped for equality, leading to high-profile recognition from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation in 2010.

But even before she became an activist, Sykes was a master manipulator of America’s funny-bone. Beginning her career as a writer for The Chris Rock Show, Sykes would go on to star in hit comedy specials of her own.

In 2009 Out Magazine listed Sykes on its “Annual Power 50 List,” and that same year she made comedy history hosting the annual White House Correspondence Dinner – being both the first openly gay person and the first black female to take on the high-profile role.

Sykes will perform at 8 p.m., March 9, at the Paramount Theater in Denver, and a second 10 p.m. show was added to the schedule to be sure Denver gets its dose of America’s favorite gay comedian.

How long has it been since you’ve performed in Denver?

It’s been a while. Last time I was in Denver I played Comedy Works – I was there for the weekend and did about five shows. I’m excited to come back and to play in a theater this time.

You have been a very outspoken activist for marriage equality. How did you feel when California’s Proposition 8 was repealed Feb. 7?

I was very excited-now we’re one step closer to the Supreme Court. I got married in California (before Prop. 8 banned it in 2008), and the other day I said to my wife, ‘guess what? You’re stuck with me. Looks like we’re still married.’ I’m really excited about being closer to the Supreme Court, because that’s how we’re going to get marriage equality across the country.

I don’t see how a judge could rule in favor of Prop. 8 because it’s such a discriminatory law. I mean, this is something you just don’t let ‘the people’ decide; they aren’t allowed to write discrimination into the law because it’s unconstitutional. If you let ‘the people’ decide these things we wouldn’t have the Civil Rights Act. I don’t think the Supreme Court is going to want to hear this case, though, because they’re so conservative. But I don’t see how any judge could rule in favor of Prop 8.

Speaking of the federal government, how do you feel Obama has been doing with LGBT Rights?

I am very happy with Obama. He’s been doing great on LGBT issues. The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was huge. Now you have LGBT soldiers who are getting married, and once they get married the military has to extend the same rights and privileges to them as anyone else. And once they start moving from state to state, things will have to change. It’s huge! And Obama has employed more LGBTs to his cabinet than anyone before. I think he’s doing a great job.

During the first year of Obama’s presidency, race was a big issue when talking about critics of his administration. But lately that hasn’t been the case; do you think that as we get closer to the election race will become a factor again? I don’t think the issue of race has gone away. They’re just good with the code words: Like Gingrich calling him the ‘food stamp president.’ They’re saying everything but the N-word.

You came up in the early nineties, and at that time the comedy scene was full of a lot of homophobic characters. Does it seem like the comedy scene has a little catching up to do?

Oh those Roasts are just awful. I just hate them. Some comedians are really stuck in the past. But as far as a change is concerned: as long as people are laughing at them, they’ll keep doing those jokes. A comic is not gonna stop doing what works. It’s the audience that changes comedy – not the comedians.

Dave Chappelle once said in one of his stand up specials that he was upset when people would compare the gay rights movement with the civil rights movements – because of the fact that you can’t hide that you are black, while you can hide that you are gay.

How do you feel when people compare those movements?

To me, it is a civil rights issue: but I’m not going to say that it’s the same for gay people today as it was for black people in the sixties. Because it’s not. Gay people are being murdered and there’s still gay bashing and bullying, but it’s not the same as it was for black people in the sixties.

How is it different?

Well I haven’t seen police, who are there to protect and serve, turn water hoses on the people, you know what I’m saying? I haven’t seen police dogs attack gay people at pride parades. It’s different when you have just regular citizens attack you, than when you have people who are hired to protect you attack you.

Though, while it’s not as bad as it was in the ’60s, gay rights is the civil rights issue of our time. But hate is hate. It’s true that you can’t hide that you’re black and you can hide that you’re gay.

But I’m black and gay: so when I walk into a room, and I see people lookin’ at me, especially when I’m with my wife, I have to figure out why they’re giving me dirty looks. Is it because I’m black? Or that I’m with a woman? Sometimes I want to give people a checklist so I can figure out what I’m dealin’ with.

Do these things change from place to place? Is discrimination different when you’re in L.A. verses France?

Well, when I’m in France (and see discrimination) I think ‘that’s just French people.’ The French just don’t like anyone. The gay issue isn’t as big a deal in France. I don’t want to say it’s a non-issue (but) In France race is a bigger issue.

Does France have marriage equality?

They have what they call PACS (Civil Solidarity Pact).

Both straight and gay couples can get a PAC. Like my sister and law and her husband, they didn’t want to get married, because marriage is huge in France. It’s expensive and complicated. So they opted for a PAC. Decades ago, coming out would have all but ended a career in show business, but in most cases today almost the opposite is true.

Did coming out open new doors for you as a comedian?

I’m pretty sure it opened up a new audience to me. And as far as comedy I’m a lot more comfortable on stage. More freedom. And more material.

You’re a big sports fan and for a time were doing comedy pieces HBO’s Inside the NFL. What did you think of Madonna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show?

Wow. You know, I like Madonna. But – one, there’s the lip-synching, and two, she made me nervous. Every time she went down those stairs, or did a little dance move, I’m like ‘watch ya hip! Watch ya hip!’

It was like watching ya old Aunt get up and dance you’re like ‘oh Auntie, come on.’ They should have had some old people up there to make her look good, instead of Nicki Manaj.

You know, when you wanna look skinny you hang around fat people. She should’ve had Betty White out there-she would’ve looked so good with Betty White next to her on the stage.

Sykes will perform at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, March 9 at the Paramount Theatre.

For more info, visit WandaSykes.com or get tickets at livenation.com or tickethorse.com.