MARGARET CHO, American comedian and actress, born; A comedian, fashion designer and actress. Cho is known for her stage performances, recordings, and concert movies. Her shows are a mixture of her comedy stylings with strong political and cultural commentary. Apart from these shows she has also directed and appeared in music videos, and started her own clothing line. She has also frequently supported gay rights and identifies herself as bisexual, winning several awards for her humanitarian efforts. Cho was born to a Korean-American family in San Francisco, CA. Named “Moran,” she was frequently called “Moron” by other children.

Cho grew up in a culturally diverse neighborhood in the 1970s and 1980s, which she described as a community of “old hippies, ex-druggies, burnouts from the ’60s drag queens, and Chinese people. To say it was a melting

Cho has dated Quentin Tarantino (who appeared on an episode of her sitcom), Chris Isaak, and Garrett Wang. Cho has also spoken about her relationships and sexual experiences with women, and identifies herself as bisexual. In 2003, she married Al Ridenour, an artist involved in the creation of Cacophany Society and the Art of Bleeding; she was featured in an Art of Bleeding performance in March 2006. Cho began getting major tattoo work done in 2006 and has become an enthusiast; as of March 2007 she estimates that 15-20% of her body is currently covered.

In 2000, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) awarded her with a Golden Gate award and described her as an entertainer who, “as a pioneer, has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.” In 2001, she was given a Lambda Liberty Award by Lambda Legal for “pressing us to see how false constructions of race, sexuality, and gender operate similarly to obscure and demean identity.”