A New York comedy festival is causing a stir – because it’s charging higher ticket prices for anyone who’s a straight white man.

The Cinder Block Comedy Festival, which is set to take place in Brooklyn in September, was announced earlier this month, and has a majority-women diverse line-up of comics.

However, the festival’s policy is causing controversy – because it’s charging more for tickets sold to straight white men, and making them wait a month for the general sale.

The website states: “Early bird submissions are now open until March 14th to LGBT, people of colour and women at a rate of $19.25.

“General submissions will be open to all March 15th through April 15th.”



In a video, the festival explains: “Having a token LGBTQ person of color woman, in a sea of white bearded men is not diversity.

“As an audience you deserve more than one point of view.”

The organizers add that “token bearded white dudes” can get tickets for $25 – up from the $19.25 available to minorities.

Unsurprisingly, some straight white men are unhappy to suddenly find themselves being the put-upon group, given the opposite has been true for all of recorded history.

One Facebook user wrote: “I don’t see how this blatant discrimination is even legal! The person who came up with and support this bright idea should be laughed right out of town!”

Another added: “Sounds like someone wants to get teabagged with a federal civil rights lawsuit.”

A third said: “Luckily no straight male would watch all the garbage acts they’ve booked.

“So really, they’re offering discounts to the only people who MAY go see this awful lineup, no matter the ethnicity.

“I’m not affronted, because ‘ladies’ night’ discounts have been happening at bars and clubs forever.”