Stand Up with Kia ‘Comedy’ Barnes
Kia Barnes
In this profile series, Revry is highlighting authentic contributors to the queer media and entertainment community. We ask questions to find out who they are and where they are going in the future. The questions remain the same but the answers tell their unique story. It’s time to explore and celebrate true representation beyond the limits of Hollywood.
Kia ‘Comedy’ Barnes (She/Her) is a standup comedian and an advocate for equality and diversity. Her repertoire includes event production, education, entertainment, and more. A former teacher, Kia was appointed to Atlanta Public School’s LGBTQ Taskforce and Atlanta’s first LGBTQ Advisory board. Having left the classroom in 2014 to pursue a career in standup comedy, Kia has worked with Netflix, BET, LOL Network, NBC and more. She has also collaborated to cultivate queer safe spaces with the Human Rights Campaign, Back 2 Basics Philly, Georgia Equality, Atlanta Pride, Pridelines Miami, Clexacon Las Vegas, Women of Color Weekend, Nashville Pride, SisterSpace, and the list continues to grow! Kia also produces the Lez Laugh Comedy Show and the Andro Fashion Show, and she was instrumental in producing Atlanta’s first “Equality March,” in commemoration of the Pulse Orlando tragedy. Simply put, Kia ‘Comedy’ Barnes is not just jokes.
What are you best known for?
I’m best known for my standup comedy and LGBTQ advocacy. I produce the largest weekly lesbian party in Atlanta at My Sister’s Room, the only Lesbian Bar in the Southeast. I am also known for my work with producing the Lez Laugh Comedy Tour and the Andro Fashion Show, and working within the Atlanta Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, Atlanta Public Schools LGBTQ Inclusion Board, and the Fulton County District Attorney’s LGBTQ Advisory Board.
What is the first thing you worked on professionally?
My first professional project was Queer Comedy Jam, where LGBTQ Comedians from across the country came to Atlanta to film their comedy specials. It was an amazing and early on opportunity to really connect with the community, and it laid the framework for building my brand by partnering with others who were working towards similar goals.
What are you working on that no one knows about yet?
I’m secretly bringing back the Andro Fashion Show in 2023. Since we haven’t produced the show since the COVID pandemic began, the comeback has to be bigger and better than ever. We’ll be casting androgynous LGBTQIA models, musicians, and dancers from across the country. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!