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Written by Jim Campbell Thursday, 10 October 2013 19:02

Despite ever meeting her in person, I feel like we have been friends for a very long time.

Disclaimer: Adult language ahead! You have been warned.

Comedian, actress, activist, and hag supreme Margaret Cho made her return to the Gateway City. Last time I was in the presence of this amazing lady was at St. Louis Gay Pride when she shocked the city by smoking an illegal substance – allegedly - onstage. Priceless.

Before I get to Cho's show, I need to address her opening act – Jim Short. Hailing from Australia, Short had me from hello. I am a sucker for an accent – and his brand of charming comedy won the crowd at The Pageant over. It is no easy feat to be an opening comedian for such an icon as Cho, but Short's 20-minute set was on point, endearing, and most importantly, hilarious. He is one to watch out for St. Louis, I hope he returns soon.

Now onto the main course — Margaret Cho. Here's the thing about Cho — despite ever meeting her in person, I feel like we have been friends for a very long time. No I am not a stalker nor am I delusional, but being a gay man growing up in the ‘90s when Cho's star was on the rise, she was one of the few comedians that not only reached out to the LGBT community, she embraced us and ultimately became one of us.

Sure, we have Kathy Griffin, Joan Rivers, and Ellen, but even with Ellen I have always felt a disconnect. Cho has been down with the community for decades, and she will always have my love and devotion.

In light of the rough week I have had with my federally recognized husband being furloughed, I needed a night to forget my problems. Cho came out and immediately went after a common enemy  — the Westboro Baptist Church. They always seem to threaten to show up and demonstrate against her shows, but they never seem to materialize. She wears that fact as a badge of honor — as she should.

She then launched into a segment which highlighted her hag status. She would love to hag for gay icons like George Michel and Fred Schneider. She loves to hag for the young gays, but she really loves to be a hag for the bears. The bear sub-culture is for those gay men who are larger in girth and have an abundance of hair. Cho likes hag for the bears because you know you are going to eat.

Cho then went down roads we have previously traveled together: growing up in San Francisco, having her Mom show her a magazine called “Ass Masters.” Well known, yet still hilarious.

Here is another reason I — and most of the LGBT community welcomes Cho into our fold – she is not afraid to talk about her own sex life. She talked about how she had relations with a member from the Blue Man Group. “It's like a pen exploded in my mouth” Cho waxed.

She expounded about how she loves sexual toys and how hers are so powerful that she has to unplug the dryer to plug in her vibrator. She also talked about how she really doesn't like oral sex performed on her – which prompted one audience member to agree – loudly. There was talk of urination, foreskin worship, and how she had sex with a well known singer.

This is yet another reason why I am totally in love with Margaret Cho – she lets us into her life, her bedroom, and her heart. Her comedy is honest and knows no bounds. She pulls you in and makes you feel like a personal friend. Her one-hour 45-minute set went by far too fast, and I cannot wait until she comes back to St. Louis to let us back into her world. And yes, for the length of the show I was able to forget about my own problems and let Margaret entertain me with hers for which I will always be in her debt. | Jim Campbell

You can also catch Margaret in the hit Lifetime show “Drop Dead Diva,” as well as subscribe to her podcast “The Monsters of Talk” (which also features the talents of Jim Short) on Soundcloud.

Here is a link to the podcast: https://soundcloud.com/margaretcho