Margaret
Cho
PN caught up with controversial
US comic, actress and activist Margaret Cho, star of Bam Bam and Celeste,
currently touring the UK as part of the 20th London Lesbian & Gay Film
Festival
Words David G Taylor
Google the words Margaret Cho and HIV and the internet almost
goes into meltdown. You opened 2005’s annual Aids Walk in Massachusetts,
headlined 2005’s Big Hair fundraiser in Minneapolis, donated part of
the proceeds from your Live in Houston CD to the HIV/Aids Montrose Clinic
in Houston, Texas... Why do you feel the need to do so much in the fight against
HIV?
Because it was something that I started doing benefits for very early in my
career, and even after all this time there is no cure. People are thinking
that it isn’t a problem anymore, but it is. It is worse. We have to
keep fighting.
Are you doing any HIV benefits this year?
I’ll be doing a benefit with Lady Bunny in April for Hope and Help,
an HIV/Aids centre in Florida.
How has HIV touched your life personally?
I have lost quite a few friends to Aids, and many of my loved ones live with
HIV, and continue to thrive, due to increased awareness on how to live right
and how to stay healthy. We are getting better all the time.
You’re a San Francisco gal. What are your overriding memories
of growing up there when the epidemic first took hold?
It was really strange, because it took out so many people so quickly. My neighbourhood
was ravaged. It was like a ghost town. In many ways, we have never recovered.
You starred in the Aids film It’s My Party. Tell us a little
about it and how and why you got involved?
I auditioned for it, and fought hard to get it because I loved the script.
It was about a man who was dying of Aids, and wanted to throw a party for
himself before committing suicide. It was based on a true story, and was such
a beautiful film. I played his loyal and gorgeous fag hag.
Was filming an emotional experience?
Yes, we cried a lot, and most of the people involved in the film were actually
there at the real party.
What have you got coming up in 2006?
I’m writing a new show which will take up a lot of the time. Oh, and
I might go shopping at Spitalfields market on Sunday…
Your recent West End show We Will Shoot You was very political. Did HIV feature?
Well, the show was very gay, very political, very now, so yes.
What other issues did you tackle?
Homophobia, ignorance, racism, sexism... the lot.
In your show Notorious C.H.O. you talk about how hard it is for minority
groups to feel OK about themselves. You said: “To have self-esteem is
truly an act of revolution.” What gives you the most esteem these days?
I think that I feel good just to be here, that I am still alive and
kicking after all these years.
• www.margaretcho.com
