Need a laugh? Watch these hilarious queer stand-up comedy specials

These LGBTQ+ comedians will brighten your day!

It can be really hard to laugh during such difficult times like these for queer people. Thankfully, many of the world's best and funniest comedians are in the LGBTQ+ community and know how to be funny without needing to attack marginalized groups of people.

Queer people feel grateful for LGBTQ+ comedians who have kept us laughing and afloat during these dark times — and these 15 specials are perfect to watch right now.

'Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer'

Wanda Sykes isn't afraid to get real about politics, race, and sexuality — and she delivers another round of great jokes and insights in this I'm an Entertainer comedy special.

Wanda Sykes: I'm an Entertainer is streaming on Netflix.

'Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All'

Anthony Jeselnik, known for his caustic and brutally honest comedy, came out as bisexual while promoting his latest comedy special for Netflix, Bones and All, saying that he had previously been working on a show with FX that he compared to a "bisexual Louie."

Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All is streaming on Netflix.

'Kate Berlant: Cinnamon in the Wind'

There isn't another stand-up special quite like Kate Berlant's Cinnamon in the Wind for FX. In this black-and-white special, the comedian tests out her psychic powers, does crowd work, and improvises like a true pro.

Kate Berlant: Cinnamon in the Wind is streaming on Hulu.

'My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres'

Julio Torres has shown off his skills on TV shows like Los Espookys and Fantasmas, and in the movie Problemista. But if you go back to 2019, you can see his one-of-a-kind genius in this uber-creative HBO special titled My Favorite Shapes.

My Favorite Shapes by Julio Torres is streaming on Max.

'Fortune Feimster: Crushing It'

You can always count on Fortune Feimster to make you belly laugh, and she does it once again in her latest comedy special, Crushing It, while discussing life with her wife, Jax.

Fortune Feimster: Crushing It is streaming on Netflix.

'Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel'

Jerrod Carmichael won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for his work in Rothaniel. In it, Carmichael opened up about his family life and even came out as a gay man during the comedy special.

Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel is streaming on Max.

'Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted'

Tig Notaro's 2015 special Boyish Girl Interrupted was nominated for an Emmy. Its accompanying album was also nominated for a Grammy. Overall, the comedy special is full of Notaro's signature deadpan delivery and unique perspectives on life.

Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted is streaming on Max.

'Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All'

After Midnight host Taylor Tomlinson came out as bisexual in the Have It All comedy special while talking about the differences between dating men and women.

"So, anyway, I've been trying to figure out if I'm bisexual, or if I just binged Euphoria too fast," Tomlinson quips in the special. "Cause I've been trying to date women, but it is so hard. I don't know how to get women to like me."

Taylor Tomlinson: Have It All is streaming on Netflix.

'Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual'

In his first special for Netflix, Joel Kim Booster dives into his life as a gay Asian-American man, talking about family life, threesomes, and masturbation.

Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual is streaming on Netflix.

'Sam Jay: Salute Me or Shoot Me'

Sam Jay says it like it is, never shying away from controversy. During Salute Me or Shoot Me, Jay confronts the current state of the world while delivering plenty of laughs.

Sam Jay: Salute Me or Shoot Me is streaming on Max.

'Mae Martin: SAP'

Nonbinary comedian Mae Martin talks about moose, being sappy, believing in magic, and the power of friendship in this emotional special, SAP, for Netflix.

Mae Martin: SAP is streaming on Netflix.

'Nicole Byer: BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo)'

Nicole Byer is riotous in this raunchy and no-holds-barred special titled BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo). She talks about her life, loves, and mishaps while making us laugh all the way through.

Nicole Byer: BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo) is streaming on Netflix.

'John Early: Now More Than Ever'

In Now More Than Ever, John Early combines a comedy special with a concert and a Spinal Tap-style mockumentary… all through Early's unique sardonic point of view.

John Early: Now More Than Ever is streaming on Max.

'Hannah Gadsby: Nanette'

Hannah Gadsby got deep and introspective on this special that not only went viral around the world, but also won a Peabody Award and an Emmy Award. In Nanette, Gadsby talks about being a lesbian, being diagnosed with autism, and misogyny.

Hannah Gadsby: Nanette is streaming on Netflix.

'Margaret Cho: I'm the One That I Want'

Margaret Cho proves why she's one of the OGs of mainstream queer comedy in this J2000 classic special I'm the One That I Want. Throughout the comedy special, Cho talks about everything: from drugs and sex to racism and her failed sitcom. A true comedy legend!

Margaret Cho: I'm the One That I Want is available for purchase/rental on-demand.