DEFINITELY EVERYTHING YOU HEAR IN OUR CLUB WOULD BE AN HR NIGHTMARE.

Marostica, who identifies as non-binary and prefers to be identified by the pronouns they or them, said there are many people in the LGBTQ community who don’t go to comedy clubs because too often shows make them uncomfortable.

Marostica said they once took a girlfriend to an openmic night in Winnipeg and each comic seemed to want to outdo the next in terms of being racist or misogynistic. Their girlfriend at the time was offended and didn’t want to be in the room anymore.

“It’s good to err on the side of everybody being happy and comfortable,” Marostica said.

Aisha Alfa, who has performed at Wee Johnny’s and now lives in Los Angeles, said she doesn’t see anything wrong with a club setting expectations for performers and audience members.

“Tim isn’t telling comedians to stop telling a joke because it people freely speak their minds, he said. As clubs “buckle to the public courts,” it could lead to a “watering down” of the industry.

“So they want to turn into a Chuck E. Cheese’s,” he quipped upon learning of the Winnipeg club’s anti-harassment policy.

Today, people are “walking on egg shells” in their work places, he said. In the evening, they’re searching for places to let loose.

“When they come to the club and get to have a laugh and hear these things that, ‘oh, you can’t say’ or ‘we’re not supposed to talk about,’ we offer them that release.”

Tuccitto said his Toronto club operates on the premise that comedy should not be governed, as it is so subjective. On Sunday nights, they even create a “safe space” for comedians to try out their most “dangerous” and edgy materials. Audience members are invited to boo and heckle, if they wish.

The only time Tuccitto said