Sandra Bernhard caught in Sarah Palin gang-rape jibe storm

October 2, 2008

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A women’s shelter has cut headliner comedian Sandra Bernhard from its annual benefit after she said Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin would be gang-raped if she ever visited New York.

Bernhard made the remarks last month during her one-woman show in Washington before Palin visited New York to campaign. She said Palin would be “gang-raped by my big black brothers” during a diatribe in which she also criticised Palin for opposing abortion rights.

Many guests at Rosie’s Place, a Boston shelter, have been victims of violence, public relations director Leemarie Mosca said.

“In light of our mission, we don’t think violence against women is a laughing matter,” she said.

Mosca said the shelter expected to book a replacement before the October 16 luncheon, “Funny Women … Serious Business”.

“Right now, our main focus is our event and making sure the event is a success,” Mosca said. “And for us, that means not including Sandra Bernhard at this time.”

A representative for Bernhard had no comment on the cancellation.

In a statement on her website, Bernhard said the gang-rape comment was part of a larger piece from her show about “racism, freedom, women’s rights, and the extreme views of Governor Sarah Palin - a woman who doesn’t believe that other women should have the right to choose”.

“I certainly wish Governor Palin no harm - I’d just like her to explain to me how she can hold such outrageous views … and then go back to Alaska,” she said.

Palin opposes abortion, including in cases of rape and incest.