Thread: I'm hearing lots of men in comedy "don't know what to say." I can help. Step One is looking at your FEELINGS about things. Step Two is taking action and holding yourself accountable. Below I'll give sample tweets of what you can say. Don't just quote tweet me or RT.

SAMPLE 1: I keep saying that things are getting better in comedy based on what I see, but I'm realizing I have never seen the truth of what the world is for women, from open-mic comics to touring headliners. It's taken too long but my eyes are open.

SAMPLE 2: It's been a tough realization that the comedy world isn't mostly good with just a few bad apples. The comedy world is a microcosm of the real world which is still in the throes of patriarchy & white supremacy. Us FEW good apples live in a bubble. This changes today.

SAMPLE: 3 I have the luxury of ignoring the problems women/women of color/non-binary and not participating because I’m above it. But silence is the privilege of white supremacy and patriarchy. It feels dramatic to say that but I’m looking now at why that is. I will change.

SAMPLE 4: I've had my eyes opened and am actively being more than a keyboard warrior in BLM. But in my comedy community, have I abandoned black women comics? Trans black women? I will be taking a look at how it's been easier for me to think "globally" and ignore people locally.

SAMPLE 5: I didn't realize that even if predators in comedy didn't do anything to my women friends, their trauma (which they all have from being a woman in society) comes up & they're hurting. I've ignored it. I'm committed to learning about their burdens & being a real ally.

SAMPLE 6: When I retweet my women friends tweets about sexual assault & rape culture, I'm throwing them to the wolves of my GIANT follower base. They get harassed & I've told them to ignore it. I seen now I have to educate my fans about my values and be willing to lose some.

SAMPLE 7: I have to be honest if I really thought things were better for women now in comedy, I would have no issue joining the fight to clean up what's left. I realize, I'm TERRIFIED of the guys who run things too, and that's why I've abandoned my peers. That stops today.

SAMPLE 8: I've stubbornly insisted that women wanting me to speak out means that women want me to name a comedian's name and say he's bad. I've wondered what good does that do? I realize my women peers are trying to tell me they're hurting & want to hear that I'm awake to it.

SAMPLE 9: It's taken me decades to realize women in my industry live in a different world. I stopped short at thinking the issues are equal pay & the old "women aren't funny" crap. That ends today. Hold me accountable. I will be tweeting more about things I'm committed to doing.

STEP TWO is taking action in your own career. I'll send some examples of how later today. xo, Jen

By the way many women are willing to lose you as friends if you don't step up, your world will get smaller. Do you know how hard it is to joke around with you all on here daily, do your shows, but knowing you won't become active allies? IT SUCKS. We are watching and hurting.

STEP TWO FOR MALE COMICS: CHANGES! A CONTINUATION OF A THREAD.

1. I am really self-conscious about sending out this thread. I know it doesn’t cover enough. I know that I have blind spots. I am not a hypocrite - and I do do these things below.

2. But it’s vulnerable for me to suggest things. I know the harassment I'll get from people who will say I'm killing comedy. But I am really hurting, my heart (not spirit) remains broken at seeing the inaction with my male peers over the years and I want to help.

3. I've done these things myself - and my shows are still insanely fun and funny. I know there are more action items to consider - comedians feel free to leave yours on this thread and I'll add properly and credit you. Let's go!

ACTION ITEM: With your opening act that isn't just another white guy - are you willing to take their photo when they are on stage, tweet/IG it and tag them, let people know they're killing it? Are you willing to watch their set & not just sit on your phone in the greenroom?

ACTION ITEM: For club comics who don't bring their own opening act. Are you wiling to tell the bookers that you must have approval on who they pick to open for you, have them send options, review their material & reject them if they do misogynist jokes?

ACTION ITEM: Theatre/rock club comics: Are you willing to reconsider only bringing your other white guy opening act on the road? If not - which is fine - are you willing to let a local woman in each city (all identifications/races) do 10-15 mins on the show?

ACTION ITEM: For club comics, are you willing to look at the lineup of the club for the year and ask the booker why it's mostly white men? Are you willing to not work that club again & publicly say why if they don't diversify?

ACTION ITEM: Club comics: Are you willing to point out to the booker of the club that the non-famous male headliners they book are not bringing in enough money to make a profit - and so there is no reason they can't give the same chance to non-famous women headliners?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to make sure that any women that are booked on your show with you get home safely? Do you understand that you offering to walk her - still feels unsafe? Are you willing to not be offended?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to talk about what you're learning about patriarchy/women's issues in your set? But make it funny? Turn the tide on "I'm old, why can't things be the way they are" to a funnier, "I'm old, here's what I've learned..." Progress can be funny!

ACTION ITEM: Booking local shows are you willing to never again JUST have one woman on your show? Are you wiling to understand how that is NO fun for her. To book two women on the same show who are good friends so they're having the same experience you are with your guy friends?

ACTION ITEM: For local shows - are you willing to say no to doing spots on a gig that have ZERO women? Are you willing to ask other male comics to do the same?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to ask the consent of a good female friend to have lunch with you - and ask her to tell you the truth about what more you could do, not get defensive and then take actions?

ACTION ITEM: When you RT or quote tweet a female comedian are you willing to understand you've just introduced your fans to them & they may harass? Are you willing to check your comments, NOTICE the harassment and address your fans? Or block? Are you willing to lose fans?

ACTION ITEM: Re: the above. If you are not willing to speak to or block your fans - if they harass women comics you retweet, are you willing to accept that you should not retweet women then? And are you further willing to look at how that makes you feel?

ACTION ITEM: When you have guests on your podcast that are women - including women who are black/gay/trans/disabled/ etc. are you willing to just let them be funny instead of having them have to talk about the issues?

ACTION ITEM: If you are one of these fathers with daughters - are you willing to tell your daughters about the sexual assault and cover-ups going on in the comedy world? Are you then willing to ask them what would like you do to about it to make them proud?

ACTION ITEM: After going through your material - are you willing to drop any ironic sexist jokes that really are just you telling sexist jokes?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to go through your material and see how many funny stories you have about male friends? Can you tell stories about women friends? Or do you only talk about women who are your wife or mother?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to listen to your women peers tell you what guys creep them out - and even if they are your friends, don't book them on your show? And tell them why if they ask? If not, why not?

ACTION ITEM: Are you willing to take an honest look at who you follow on Twitter. Is it diverse? Are you willing to add more voices to your feed - therefore your head?

Okay, that's all I got for today. Comedians weigh in - and I'll add your suggestions & name to the thread.