Pride is a LAUGH RIOT - Comedy, Art Mart & After Party

📅 Wednesday, June 25th | ⏰ 7 PM | 📍 SF Eagle | 🎟 Pay What You Can & VIP Tickets Available

🌈 Safe Words Presents: (Pride is a) LAUGH RIOT

A night of queer resistance, joy, and unapologetic comedy

This Pride, we’re remembering that laughter has always been part of the resistance.

Safe Words, San Francisco’s longest-running queer comedy showcase, returns with a lineup that brings fire, wit, and heart to the mic—just when we need it most.

At a time when queer and trans rights are under renewed attack, we’re gathering in community to celebrate what has always made us powerful: our voices, our stories, and our refusal to be silent.

(Pride is a) LAUGH RIOT features bold stand-up from queer comedians who use comedy not just to entertain, but to speak truth, push back, and find joy in the face of it all.

Tom Ammiano (He/Him) Queer

Comedian, activist, teacher, and former San Francisco Supervisor and State Assemblymember, Tom Ammiano began doing stand‑up in 1980. In 1982, he pioneered Gay Comedy Night at the Valencia Rose Cabaret—the first space in the Bay Area dedicated to queer comedians—to create a place where queer voices could flourish. Over a career spanning four decades in public service, Tom has championed LGBTQ+ rights, education reform, labor justice, and housing equity—and stayed funny doing it. His storytelling blends sharp wit and lived experience, making him a legendary voice in both comedy and politics.

Julia Jackson (She/Her) Queer, Lesbian

Julia Jackson is a rising queer comedian whose sharp, socially attuned comedy has made waves on the Bay Area scene and beyond. She’s performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was a semi-finalist in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. With a voice that explores identity, community, and connection, Julia brings thoughtful humor that’s as impactful as it is entertaining.

Wonder Dave (he/him) Queer

Wonder Dave is the longtime host of Safe Words and a staple of the Bay Area comedy scene. With a background in stand-up, storytelling, and slam poetry, he’s known for bringing warmth, chaos, and quick-witted charm to every stage he graces.

Originally from Minneapolis, Wonder Dave has toured nationally, performing everywhere from comedy clubs and colleges to cabarets, conventions, and even bowling alleys. He co-produces Safe Words and SMILF (Straight Men I’d Like to Friend) with Jonah Price, and also produces and hosts Mental Health Comedy Hour with Kristee Ono, Hysteria Open Mic for Women and Queers, and Ruckus and Rumpus Revival with Jamie DeWolf. You can also catch him as a commentator for Oakland’s underground wrestling phenom, Hoodslam.

Binya Kóatz (she/her) Trans, Queer

Binya Kóatz is a trans Jewish comedian—but don’t hold it against her. Originally from Queens, NY (where all the best queens are from), she’s currently straddling the Bay Area and Montréal comedy scenes, performing in gay bars, straight bars, and any bisexual bar her agent can find.

A frequent face on the Safe Words stage, Binya’s smart, subversive, and unapologetically queer comedy has made her a standout voice in our community. She’s also one of the creators and cast members behind Perversity, Equity & Inclusion (PEI), a satirical DEI-themed show we were proud to host earlier this year. Beyond stand-up, Binya occasionally appears in drag as Auntie Semitism, running sold-out Zoom shows with the Milk & Meat Queer Jewish Comedy Collective.

We’re thrilled to welcome her back to Safe Words for a night of rebellious Pride joy.

Nebulous Niang (she/her) Queer, Lesbian

Nebulous Niang is Singapore’s biggest lesbian — her words, and honestly, it tracks. A breakout voice in queer comedy, Nebulous blends candid storytelling, cultural commentary, and sharp humor to explore everything from intergenerational family dynamics to Gen Z parenting. Her one-woman show SLOMOSEXUAL brings her signature wit to audiences in both Asia and the U.S., and she’s a rising star of the Edinburgh Free Fringe.

Whether unpacking late-blooming queerness or the absurdity of Singaporean social norms, Nebulous brings a fresh, international perspective to the Safe Words stage for Pride. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the lineup.

SPECIAL GUEST RACE BANNON (he/him) Gay

Race Bannon has been an organizer, writer, publisher, educator, commentator, leader, speaker, and activist in the LGBTQ, leather/kink, polyamory, and HIV/STI prevention realms since 1973. He is an author, widely published writer, active speaker, community organizer and project leader, and has received numerous national and local awards. Race is one of the authors and editors of a new book, Kink Is, highlighting kinksters from around the world, published by Unbound Edition Press. He’s also a regular cast member of the online series, On Guard Cigar Salon.

🎟️ VIP Tickets & Pay What You Can General Seating — support the mission in the way that works for you.

🍸 21+ | Accessible venue | Come early, stay late.

About Safe Words

Safe Words is San Francisco’s longest-running queer comedy showcase, held monthly at The Eagle. Each show is carefully curated to highlight both emerging talent and seasoned voices from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Our goal is to create a space where queer and trans performers can take the stage without compromise—and where queer audiences feel seen, celebrated, and safe.

Whether it’s your first show or your fiftieth, welcome to the room. We’re glad you’re here.

TICKETS

Queer Pride Art Mart

This Pride, we’re giving you one more reason to swing by SF Eagle: the Queer Pride Art Mart — a pop-up marketplace of work by queer makers and artists, running before, during, and after our LAUGH RIOT comedy showcase.

Come browse. Come buy. Put money directly in queer artists’ pockets this Pride.

✨ Paintings, drawings, stickers, gear, shirts, and more.

✨ Perfect for bringing home a one-of-a-kind Pride souvenir

(or scoring gifts for friends and chosen family).

✨ No fee, no commission — every dollar goes straight to the artists.

Open to everyone — you don’t need a comedy show ticket to visit the Art Mart!

Come early to shop, swing by during the show, or stay late and explore art during the post-show DJ set with Seattle’s Andy Iwancio.

The Art Mart and show both take place inside the SF Eagle — 21+ venue.

Pro tip: Arrive early or stick around late for the best chance to explore the full range of work and support the artists in person.

After Party with DJ Andy Iwancio

When the comedy wraps, the party’s just getting started.

Join us inside SF Eagle for a special Pride After Party featuring beats from Seattle DJ Andy Iwancio — spinning a high-energy, queer-forward set to keep the night moving.

No ticket required for the After Party — the bar remains open to all (21+).

Whether you’ve been at the show, dropped by for the Art Mart, or are rolling in late-night, you’re welcome to join the fun.

Expect:

🎶 Danceable queer anthems & deep cuts

🎶 A crowd that flows between the patio and bar all night

🎶 Art Mart still open — last call to support local queer makers

🎶 Plenty of room to celebrate and close out Pride weekend right

scruz · basement jaxx - red alert (scruz remix) [FREE DL]

About DJ Andy Iwancio

Andy Iwancio is a longtime Seattle-based DJ, known for spinning high-energy, queer-forward sets that fill the dance floor. A veteran of Seattle’s electronic music scene, she has been DJing for over a decade — including as founder of the all-women rave collective mudpieluv and curator of inclusive queer parties.

She’s also an acclaimed trans comedian and creator of the celebrated Queers to the Front comedy showcase — but tonight, she’s bringing the beats.

Stick around. Dance it out. Support queer artists. Celebrate community.