The Trash Goes Out On Tuesday
Tuesday Thomas, a trans punk comedian, is still standing as a testament to survival at all costs. With her successful Freak Show comedy shows, Tuesday’s Trash comedy special (wider release on Comedy Dynamics), and hashtag, #asktranma, this trans pioneer is now a trailblazer by providing tips on thriving to the next generation of trans youth on TikTok and other forums. I interviewed her at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in front of the grave of another trans legend, Holly Woodlawn, as an homage to discuss the release of her recent documentary about Tuesday’s life, The Trash Goes Out on Tuesday, seen at the LA Film Fest and available on Amazon Prime very soon.
YS : We are here today with the one and only Tuesday Thomas at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in front of the late great Holly Woodlawn.
Tuesday : I just love a gorgeous sunny L.A. day here in front of Holly. I got a new batch of mushrooms to microdose, a little bit higher than my usual dose, just to get ready for this.
YS : You microdosed just for me? I am so honored. So you’ve been called the “Punk Rock Dolly Parton” to the “ Punk Rock Cher,” but I see you as “The Jayne County of Comedy.” What label do you think most fits you?
Tuesday: Well, Jayne County was always my idol. I don’t think she’d ever remember me a couple of times seeing her in New York. When I was bartending at a bar in Atlanta, she would come in with Angie Bowie. Angie would sit there so drunk and start screaming, “When my NDA is over, I’m gonna tell the world what that motherfucker is really like ! “ (*Note: Angela Bowie did disclose to the world her life with David Bowie, years later. ) Then she would fall off the chair drunk and Jayne (County) would just look at her and then look at me, and I'd be like, “Alright, I’ll pick her up !”
YS : So you were the designated “Angie Bowie Pick Her Upper?”
Tuesday: (laughs) Yup. As far as labels go, I’ll take them all. They’re all badges of honor. When somebody sees me and equates me to somebody that I admire, I am honored. Jayne County is huge to me so I’ll take them all.
YS: So congratulations on your documentary, The Trash Goes Out On Tuesday. I was lucky enough to attend the premiere of your movie. Why did you feel like now is the time to do a documentary about your life?
Tuesday: During COVID, we were all stuck in the house, and I just started to talk about the experiences of my life into my iPhone. I probably had hours of recordings and footage. It felt like a narcissistic exercise, but I sent it to a friend, and he looked at it, and the first thing he said was that he had no idea I was trans! I assumed everybody knew that!
YS: Anyone who gets to know you automatically falls in love with you. And you being trans is just another touch of magic and reason to adore you even more. Tell us what your childhood was like. Where did you grow up?
Tuesday: I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. Nobody famous came from there. Not even going to mention the name. It was a beautiful farm country, but there were still Trump flags all over the place and… a lot of manure. And Mennonites, you know, with the horse and buggies. I mean, it’s gorgeous and everything, but when you’re growing up, you know they think you’re a “faggot” or you’re trans or something different and not like them, and they don’t like different. I pushed myself through high school to graduate early to get the hell out of there.
YS : Where did you go next?
Tuesday: I was sent away to live with a religious aunt and uncle in California, outside of San Francisco. But I didn’t realize that they were alcoholics and they would be passed out in front of the TV snoring at 7 o'clock, and I just walked out the front door of the duplex and went out.
YS: In your documentary, you do not hold back on some of the hardcore brutality you went through. Do you mind discussing your ex-husband?
Tuesday: He was a drug addict, and he got really super high and he would go to the local park and talk to a tree. And one day he was convinced that the tree told him I was evil. He came home and beat me so badly that I was put into the hospital. That’s when I decided that my life needs to get better and to get out of this marriage.
YS: You’ve always had to put on this punk rock tough shell to mentally and physically protect yourself from all the bullshit you had to face. Speaking of punk, the last time I bumped into you was at The Exploited Show at The Regent. How has punk played a role in your life?
Tuesday: They were the most welcoming. They had no problems with me. I traveled to Rochester or New York City. There was a community of punk rockers that said to me, “We like you, you’re interesting! “ And CBGB’s was crazy!
YS: Despite what you had to deal with, what do you love about being trans, since you are now a trans role model with your #asktranma hashtag and other visible examples of thriving?
Tuesday: I don’t know how to answer that because I love life. I see life through the lens of my experience, talking to people, and showing things like the documentary and performing my comedy, I’m giving you my side of the story of living as a trans woman, even though I went through all that crap and horrible shit. And in the end, if it makes you laugh since I can now make fun of it, that’s my joy. Despite all the beatings I endured, all the people that I lost to AIDS, and all the ups and downs, I am still here.
