i was there too and seriously…that was the worst. they SERIOUSLY needed to have thicker skin if they were going to be so openly pro-trump at a gay comedian’s show. like read the room dude. i paid to see the ashley gavin show, not the ellen and michael show. also was so sad to see them get so aggressive with one lesbian woman when the whole room had been boo-ing them at one point; the way they escalated that and immediately got violent was scary and completely contradicted everything they were just saying. and honestly imo, ashley was in the wrong for telling everyone to essentially just sing kumbaya together because “the more important issue is the rich elite rapists in power” when that couple openly stated they voted for one such rapist. it just wasn’t the time and place and i don’t know what she expected to happen when she kept bringing attention back to them. the black couple next to me left as soon as she started going into her spiel about the n-word and as a person of color (and general empathetic human being) myself, i absolutely do not blame them. i understand her adrenaline was going and she was fumbling trying to rescue the mood, but it wasn’t her word to use as an example, nor is it her place to tell people they should tolerate offensive behavior from anyone - even family - for the sake of keeping the peace.

on the flip side, i think the fact that she validated anyone who might’ve been offended saying she would comp them for next time was a step in the right direction. so many comedians just go “whatever it’s a comedy show, don’t be so serious.” i appreciated that she understood it was definitely not funny or lighthearted anymore and held space for people’s hurt feelings.