Karen Williams: I Had To Laugh

Description

Karen Williams, the first openly lesbian Black comic in the United States, aims to share her unique comedic perspective while addressing the challenges of her life as a single mother. The documentary chronicles her rise in the male-dominated comedy scene of the early 1980s, highlighting her pioneering use of lesbian material and her work as a feminist and LGBTQ+ rights activist. It features rare vintage performance footage, shedding light on her distinctive humor and resilience. The film also provides insights through interviews with family members and fellow comedians, including Kate Clinton, Marga Gómez, and Diane Amos. It showcases Williams' founding of the HaHa Institute in 1988, an organization dedicated to using humor as a means of healing. The cast includes Karen Williams, Kate Clinton, Marga Gómez, and Diane Amos.