May-August 2026 - The Pride Issue: Cover Story - Dana Goldberg

Photo Credit: Christopher Boudewyns

There’s something refreshingly honest about Dana Goldberg. A sense that no matter how big the stage or how influential the room, she’s still the same New Mexico-born comedian who just wanted to make people laugh. Those laughs echo far beyond local clubs, reaching national audiences, major stages, and even the halls of power. “Did I think I’d be doing viral videos with Jane Fonda, performing between Lady Gaga and Barack Obama, and being named one of the most influential LGBTQ people in the country?” she says, laughing. “Not in a million years.” 

Even now, Goldberg admits she hasn’t lost that sense of disbelief. “Honestly, I still look around when I’m at gigs or events and think, ‘Is this really my life?’ I’m grateful to still be in awe… I don’t ever want to lose that wonderment.” 
That grounded perspective is part of what makes her so compelling—not just as a comedian, but as a storyteller and advocate.

Goldberg’s journey into comedy wasn’t built overnight. Like many artists, it was shaped by years of hustle, late nights, and side jobs. “The moment I realized comedy could be a career? When I could finally quit my bartending job at Applebee’s after 11 years and still pay my bills just by making people laugh.” 

That milestone marked a turning point, but the foundation had already been laid—one built on authenticity, resilience, and a sharp comedic voice that refuses to shy away from real-world issues. Her comedy is known for blending humor with social commentary, a balance she navigates with intention and skill. “I’m able to strike that balance BECAUSE of the laughter,” she explains. “The reason I can tackle the madness of the world is because I make it palatable…Comedy is also how I reach people who may not agree with me.” 

For Goldberg, laughter isn’t just entertainment—it’s a tool. “If I can make someone laugh… it’s so much easier for us to see the humanity in each other,” she says. “And trust can lead to change.” 

As a lesbian comedian, Goldberg is no stranger to assumptions—but she’s quick to dismantle them with humor. “The biggest misconception? That somehow all my material is going to be about hating men… I only hate a few men, and all of them happen to be in the federal government right now.” 

Her humor cuts through stereotypes while staying relatable, sharp, and undeniably funny. One of her most reliable crowd-pleasers is what she calls her “homo-milk joke,” a story that resonates across audiences. “Gay, straight, old, young… doesn’t matter. It gets a laugh every time.” 

With over two decades in comedy, Goldberg has performed on countless stages—but one moment still stands above the rest. “The first time I performed at the KiMo Theater… I hit my first big joke and heard the most deafening laughter I had ever heard. I felt like I could fly.”  That feeling, she says, still lives inside her.

Her work extends far beyond the stage. Over the years, Goldberg has combined comedy with philanthropy, raising more than $75 million for nonprofits across the country. “When people are happy, they tend to open their wallets just a little wider,” she says. 

For her, the intersection of humor and activism feels natural. “My comedy doesn’t just make people feel, it makes them think. If I can change some minds and hearts along the way, I’m doing something right.” 

Like many performers, Goldberg has had to adapt to an industry transformed by social media. “People are getting famous online… I’m still not entirely sure how my iCloud works!” she jokes.  Still, she continues to evolve, finding new ways to connect while staying true to her voice.

For LGBTQ+ audiences—especially those in smaller or more conservative communities—her message is both empowering and grounded. “I want them to feel seen and represented… I want them to know there’s a bigger world out there,” she says, while also recognizing that those in rural communities are “the people on the front lines.” 

And if it seems like Goldberg has already accomplished so much, she’s far from slowing down. “I’m VERY excited to announce we are bringing The Southwest FunnyFest back to The KiMo,” she shares.  Alongside that, she’s developing a television pilot, writing a one-woman show for Off-Broadway, and working on a travel series highlighting LGBTQ dining experiences across the country. “A lot is going on, but I’m so excited about every project!” 

​Through it all, Dana Goldberg remains exactly who she’s always been—funny, fearless, and deeply connected to her roots. She may be performing on national stages and shaping conversations across the country, but at her core, she’s still that comedian chasing laughter, connection, and meaning. And perhaps that’s what makes her story so powerful—not just where she’s been, but the fact that she’s still looking around, still laughing, and still asking, “Is this really my life?”