To: Those who book Charles Knipp's to perform Shirley Q Liquor and to Gay America
Charles Knipp’s is a white gay male who performs in blackface and
describes his character Shirley Q. Liquor, an African-American woman,
as “a welfare mother with nineteen kids who guzzles malt liquor, and
drives a Caddy.” According to Rolling Stone Magazine, he makes between
$70k-$90k a year to perform this character for “gay men, rednecks, and
their moms.” His biggest supporters are the gay community, which
routinely books him to perform at gay pride celebrations and gay
nightclubs throughout the country.
Considering the discrimination that LGBT people continue to face in
this country, and in light of Gay America’s outrage over actor Isaiah
Washington’s alleged homophobia, gay America is being hypocritical in
its support for Charles Knipp’s character Shirley Q. Liquor.
We The Undersigned, fully support the banning of blackface performances
that mock the plight and lives of African-American men and women.
Charles Knipp’s performance as Shirley Q. Liquor is demeaning and
humiliating and continues to perpetuate the most negative stereotypes
of Blacks and further divides the American people.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
