Ellen_NP1 Degeneres_NP1 A_ZZ1 Biography_NN1 Like_II many_DA2 high_JJ school_NN1 graduates_NN2 ,_, the_AT next_MD natural_JJ progression_NN1 for_IF Ellen_NP1 after_II relocating_VVG back_RP to_II Louisiana_NP1 was_VBDZ to_TO enroll_VVI in_II college_NN1 and_CC work_VVI on_II obtaining_VVG her_APPGE college_NN1 degree_NN1 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 enrolled_VVD at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO New_NP1 Orleans_NP1 --_NN1 which_DDQ is_VBZ often_RR called_VVN UNO_NP1 by_II local_JJ residents_NN2 --_NN1 to_II major_JJ in_II communications_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, matriculating_VVG was_VBDZ not_XX to_TO be_VBI in_II the_AT comedian_NN1 's_GE future_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 dropped_VVD out_RP after_CS only_RR one_MC1 semester_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 that_CST Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ searching_VVG for_IF a_AT1 career_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ holding_VVG on_RP to_II another_DD1 secret_JJ --_NN1 a_AT1 secret_NN1 about_II her_APPGE sexuality_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD yet_RR to_TO tell_VVI her_APPGE parents_NN2 and_CC one_PN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD only_RR come_VVN to_TO accept_VVI for_IF herself_PPX1 during_II this_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT young_JJ blonde-haired_JJ ,_, blue-eyed_JJ Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ popular_JJ in_II high_JJ school_NN1 and_CC had_VHD a_AT1 few_DA2 boyfriends_NN2 ,_, including_II Ricky_NP1 Partain_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS even_RR gave_VVD Ellen_NP1 a_AT1 promise_NN1 ring_NN1 but_CCB said_VVD later_RRR in_II an_AT1 interview_NN1 that_CST if_CS she_PPHS1 lost_VVD the_AT token_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE affection_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX worth_II much_RR ._. 
In_II her_APPGE heart_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 felt_VVD different_JJ compared_VVN to_II the_AT other_JJ boy-crazy_JJ teenaged_JJ girls_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 self-confessed_JJ tomboy_NN1 ,_, and_CC although_CS she_PPHS1 liked_VVD men_NN2 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ never_RR really_RR attracted_VVN to_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Thinking_VVG she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ just_RR a_AT1 late_JJ bloomer_NN1 and_CC proud_JJ of_IO herself_PPX1 for_IF being_VBG a_AT1 virgin_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ still_RR conflicted_VVN emotionally_RR because_CS when_CS it_PPH1 came_VVD to_II sexuality_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ attracted_VVN to_II women_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX quite_RR know_VVI what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI with_IW these_DD2 feelings_NN2 ._. 
While_CS she_PPHS1 knew_VVD she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ gay_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX feel_VVI that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ part_NN1 of_IO either_RR the_AT gay_JJ or_CC straight_JJ communities_NN2 ._. 
In_II two_MC different_JJ interviews_NN2 ,_, Ellen_NP1 provided_VVD an_AT1 introspective_JJ of_IO how_RRQ she_PPHS1 felt_VVD at_II that_DD1 tender_JJ teenage_JJ time_NNT1 in_II her_APPGE life_NN1 :_: No_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 ignored_VVD it_PPH1 because_CS I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX really_RR know_VVI what_DDQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ until_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ 18_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 dated_VVD guys_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 liked_VVD guys_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 knew_VVD that_CST I_PPIS1 liked_VVD girls_NN2 too_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 just_RR did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI with_IW that_DD1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 thought_VVD ,_, "_" If_CS I_PPIS1 were_VBDR a_AT1 guy_NN1 I_PPIS1 'd_VM go_VVI out_RP with_IW her_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
And_CC then_RT I_PPIS1 thought_VVD ,_, "_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 guy_NN1 ,_, really_RR ._. "_" 
So_RR I_PPIS1 went_VVD ,_, "_" Oh_UH ,_, well_RR ,_, "_" and_CC just_RR went_VVD on_RP with_IW my_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE first_MD gay_JJ experience_NN1 was_VBDZ literally_RR someone_PN1 else_RR 's_GE idea_NN1 --_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ freaked_VVN out_RP even_RR by_II the_AT thought_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 thought_VVD that_DD1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 experience_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR her_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 started_VVD dating_VVG guys_NN2 again_RT ,_, thinking_VVG ,_, "_" Well_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 just_RR need_VV0 to_TO meet_VVI the_AT right_JJ one_PN1 ._. "_" 
Never_RR could_VM ,_, really_RR ._. 
Ellen_NP1 accepted_VVD her_APPGE own_DA sexual_JJ orientation_NN1 and_CC began_VVD lesbian_JJ relationships_NN2 ,_, but_CCB she_PPHS1 still_RR needed_VVN to_TO share_VVI this_DD1 news_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE family_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ important_JJ to_TO find_VVI the_AT right_JJ opportunity_NN1 to_TO tell_VVI them_PPHO2 ._. 
For_IF her_APPGE mom_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 chose_VVD to_TO tell_VVI her_PPHO1 during_II a_AT1 walk_NN1 on_II the_AT beach_NN1 in_II Pass_NN1 Christian_NN1 ,_, Mississippi_NP1 in_II 1977_MC ,_, when_RRQ on_II a_AT1 family_NN1 vacation_NN1 she_PPHS1 finally_RR said_VVD the_AT words_NN2 ,_, "_" Mom_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM gay_JJ ._. "_" 
According_II21 to_II22 Betty_NP1 ,_, the_AT then_JJ 19-year-old_JJ Ellen_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ blossoming_VVG into_II an_AT1 independent_JJ young_JJ adult_NN1 ,_, also_RR told_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, "_" Mom_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM in_II love_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ with_IW a_AT1 woman_NN1 ._. "_" 
Ellen_NP1 sobbed_VVD ,_, but_CCB those_DD2 were_VBDR n't_XX tears_NN2 of_IO fear_NN1 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ relieved_VVN that_CST her_APPGE news_NN1 was_VBDZ out_RP in_II the_AT open_JJ ._. 
While_CS many_DA2 gays_NN2 and_CC lesbians_NN2 find_VV0 it_PPH1 difficult_JJ to_TO tell_VVI their_APPGE parents_NN2 about_II their_APPGE homosexuality_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 admitted_VVD in_II interviews_NN2 later_RRR in_II her_APPGE career_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX see_VVI this_DD1 as_II a_AT1 difficult_JJ thing_NN1 to_TO do_VDI ._. 
Betty_NP1 hugged_VVD her_APPGE daughter_NN1 ,_, but_CCB ,_, at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, this_DD1 sympathetic_JJ mom_NN1 felt_VVD helpless_JJ and_CC scared_JJ ._. 
Although_CS Betty_NP1 supported_VVD Ellen_NP1 ,_, Betty_NP1 was_VBDZ raised_VVN in_II the_AT 1930s_MC2 and_CC 1940s_MC2 ,_, when_CS women_NN2 were_VBDR taught_VVN to_TO marry_VVI and_CC depend_VVI on_II a_AT1 man_NN1 for_IF financial_JJ and_CC emotional_JJ security_NN1 ._. 
Things_NN2 back_RP then_RT were_VBDR much_RR different_JJ than_CSN they_PPHS2 were_VBDR in_II the_AT 1960s_MC2 ,_, when_CS Betty_NP1 was_VBDZ raising_VVG Ellen_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB as_II a_AT1 gay_JJ woman_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 still_RR had_VHN to_TO face_VVI a_AT1 different_JJ world_NN1 --_JJ one_PN1 that_CST was_VBDZ n't_XX necessarily_RR accepting_VVG of_IO her_APPGE sexual_JJ orientation_NN1 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, Betty_NP1 considered_VVD herself_PPX1 a_AT1 stranger_NN1 to_II this_DD1 lifestyle_NN1 and_CC was_VBDZ still_RR worried_VVN about_II who_PNQS would_VM take_VVI care_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE daughter_NN1 financially_RR ,_, since_CS a_AT1 man_NN1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI in_II the_AT picture_NN1 ._. 
In_II an_AT1 interview_NN1 with_IW Diane_NP1 Sawyer_NP1 ,_, Betty_NP1 said_VVD that_CST until_CS that_DD1 very_JJ moment_NN1 on_II the_AT beach_NN1 she_PPHS1 had_VHD not_XX even_RR suspected_VVN that_CST Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ gay_JJ ,_, because_II21 of_II22 the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD boyfriends_NN2 in_II high_JJ school_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Sawyer_NP1 asked_VVD Betty_NP1 if_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ horrified_VVN that_CST her_APPGE daughter_NN1 was_VBDZ gay_JJ ,_, Betty_NP1 replied_VVD ,_, "_" No_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX horrified_VVN ._. 
Worried_JJ ._. 
Worried_JJ ._. "_" 
Regardless_RR of_IO how_RRQ Betty_NP1 might_VM have_VHI felt_VVN about_II her_APPGE daughter_NN1 's_GE sexual_JJ orientation_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 would_VM always_RR support_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ often_RR not_XX the_AT case_NN1 for_IF many_DA2 parents_NN2 who_PNQS find_VV0 out_RP that_CST their_APPGE child_NN1 is_VBZ gay_JJ ,_, and_CC Betty_NP1 's_GE support_NN1 was_VBDZ especially_RR rare_JJ for_IF the_AT time_NNT1 period_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT 1950s_MC2 ,_, consensual_JJ gay_JJ sex_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR considered_VVN a_AT1 felony_NN1 with_IW possible_JJ prison_NN1 sentences_NN2 of_IO up_RG21 to_RG22 20_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
In_II the_AT 1960s_MC2 ,_, there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 sexual_JJ revolution_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT gay_JJ community_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR shunned_VVN and_CC often_RR tormented_VVN ._. 
In_II the_AT late_JJ 1960s_MC2 ,_, the_AT lesbian_NN1 ,_, gay_JJ ,_, bisexual_JJ ,_, transsexual_JJ (_( LGBT_NP1 )_) community_NN1 was_VBDZ repeatedly_RR harassed_VVN with_IW multiple_JJ raids_NN2 on_II gay_JJ bars_NN2 followed_VVN by_II numerous_JJ arrests_NN2 ._. 
In_II June_NPM1 1969_MC ,_, the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 gay_JJ community_NN1 fought_VVD back_RP for_IF their_APPGE rights_NN2 --_NN1 literally_RR ._. 
After_CS several_DA2 raids_NN2 on_II gay_JJ bars_NN2 in_II the_AT area_NN1 over_II a_AT1 period_NN1 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 police_NN2 raided_VVD the_AT Stonewall_NP1 Inn_NN1 gay_JJ bar_NN1 in_II Greenwich_NP1 Village_NP1 and_CC arrested_VVN employees_NN2 and_CC drag_VV0 performers_NN2 ._. 
However_RR ,_, more_DAR than_CSN 2,000_MC lesbian_JJ ,_, gay_JJ ,_, and_CC transgender_VV0 supporters_NN2 resisted_VVD arrest_NN1 ,_, inciting_VVG riots_NN2 and_CC calls_NN2 for_IF equal_JJ gay_JJ rights_NN2 from_II gay_JJ leaders_NN2 ._. 
Gay_JJ pride_NN1 parades_NN2 and_CC marches_NN2 were_VBDR organized_VVN in_II Los_NP1 Angeles_NP1 ,_, San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 ,_, and_CC Chicago_NP1 and_CC were_VBDR held_VVN yearly_RR after_II that_DD1 ,_, including_VVG in_II 1979_MC when_RRQ more_DAR than_CSN 100,000_MC gays_NN2 and_CC lesbians_NN2 marched_VVN on_II Washington_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Stonewall_NP1 Riots_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN the_AT start_NN1 of_IO the_AT gay_JJ liberation_NN1 movement_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT 1970s_MC2 ,_, although_CS the_AT television_NN1 industry_NN1 started_VVD to_TO make_VVI some_DD strides_NN2 by_II adding_VVG gay_JJ supporting_JJ characters_NN2 or_CC gay_JJ story_NN1 lines_NN2 to_II their_APPGE sitcoms_NN2 ,_, being_VBG gay_JJ on_II a_AT1 television_NN1 sitcom_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX exactly_RR the_AT same_DA as_CSA being_VBG gay_JJ in_II real_JJ life_NN1 ._. 
Outside_II21 of_II22 Hollywood_NP1 ,_, being_VBG gay_JJ and_CC lesbian_NN1 was_VBDZ considered_VVN a_AT1 mental_JJ health_NN1 disorder_NN1 by_II the_AT psychiatric_JJ community_NN1 ,_, and_CC gays_NN2 were_VBDR still_RR fighting_VVG for_IF the_AT same_DA basic_JJ rights_NN2 that_CST heterosexuals_NN2 had_VHD --_JJ the_AT right_NN1 to_TO marry_VVI and_CC the_AT right_NN1 to_TO adopt_VVI children_NN2 ._. 
After_CS the_AT Stonewall_NP1 Riots_NN2 ,_, gays_NN2 and_CC lesbians_NN2 began_VVD to_TO fight_VVI for_IF their_APPGE right_NN1 to_TO come_VVI "_" out_II21 of_II22 the_AT closet_NN1 "_" and_CC into_II mainstream_JJ America_NP1 ._. 
Organizations_NN2 were_VBDR founded_VVN on_II31 behalf_II32 of_II33 the_AT gay_JJ community_NN1 to_TO promote_VVI equality_NN1 and_CC acceptance_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1972_MC ,_, the_AT Parents_NN2 ,_, Families_NN2 and_CC Friends_NN2 of_IO Lesbians_NN2 and_CC Gays_NP2 (_( PFLAG_NP1 )_) was_VBDZ founded_VVN by_II Jeanne_NP1 Manford_NP1 after_CS she_PPHS1 marched_VVD with_IW her_APPGE son_NN1 ,_, Mortie_NP1 ,_, in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 's_GE Gay_JJ Pride_NN1 Parade_NN1 ._. 
Two_MC months_NNT2 earlier_RRR ,_, her_APPGE son_NN1 was_VBDZ beaten_VVN at_II a_AT1 gay_JJ rights_NN2 protest_VV0 while_CS police_NN2 did_VDD nothing_PN1 ._. 
In_II 1973_MC ,_, the_AT National_JJ Gay_JJ Task_NN1 Force_NN1 Foundation_NN1 was_VBDZ founded_VVN in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 and_CC worked_VVN to_TO change_VVI the_AT American_JJ Psychiatric_JJ Association_NN1 's_GE classification_NN1 of_IO homosexuality_NN1 as_II a_AT1 mental_JJ disorder_NN1 ._. 
In_II 1980_MC ,_, the_AT Human_JJ Rights_NN2 Campaign_NN1 was_VBDZ founded_VVN to_TO raise_VVI money_NN1 for_IF congressional_JJ candidates_NN2 who_PNQS supported_VVD fairness_NN1 to_II LGBT_NP1 Americans_NN2 ._. 
In_II the_AT years_NNT2 that_CST followed_VVD ,_, the_AT organization_NN1 established_VVD itself_PPX1 as_II a_AT1 resilient_JJ force_NN1 in_II the_AT overall_JJ movement_NN1 for_IF gay_JJ ,_, lesbian_NN1 ,_, bisexual_JJ ,_, and_CC transgender_VV0 civil_JJ rights_NN2 as_CSA it_PPH1 strived_VVD to_TO achieve_VVI fundamental_JJ fairness_NN1 and_CC equality_NN1 for_IF all_DB ._. 
In_II 1985_MC ,_, the_AT Gay_JJ and_CC Lesbian_JJ Alliance_NN1 Against_II Defamation_NN1 (_( GLAAD_NP1 )_) was_VBDZ formed_VVN in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 to_TO protest_VVI the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Post_NN1 's_VBZ grossly_RR defamatory_JJ and_CC sensationalized_JJ AIDS_NN1 coverage_NN1 ._. 
Once_CS the_AT organization_NN1 got_VVD underway_RR ,_, its_APPGE work_NN1 expanded_VVN to_II Los_NP1 Angeles_NP1 ,_, where_CS it_PPH1 educated_VVD Hollywood_NP1 's_GE entertainment_NN1 industry_NN1 on_II the_AT importance_NN1 of_IO more_RGR accurate_JJ and_CC realistic_JJ portrayals_NN2 on_II the_AT screen_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR also_RR gay_JJ rights_NN2 protests_NN2 and_CC marches_NN2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX mean_VVI that_DD1 homosexuality_NN1 was_VBDZ more_RRR accepted_VVN in_II mainstream_JJ American_JJ society_NN1 ._. 
Hate_VV0 crimes_NN2 were_VBDR a_AT1 common_JJ occurrence_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, at_II Ellen_NP1 's_GE home_NN1 ,_, her_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX embarrassed_JJ by_II her_APPGE daughter_NN1 ._. 
Betty_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT type_NN1 of_IO parent_NN1 who_PNQS blamed_VVD herself_PPX1 as_CS21 if_CS22 Ellen_NP1 's_GE homosexuality_NN1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 error_NN1 in_II parenting_NN1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, Betty_NP1 did_VDD everything_PN1 she_PPHS1 could_VM to_TO learn_VVI about_II the_AT homosexual_JJ lifestyle_NN1 and_CC how_RRQ to_TO embrace_VVI her_APPGE daughter_NN1 for_IF who_PNQS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ._. 
"_" In_II time_NNT1 ,_, I_PPIS1 would_VM come_VVI to_TO appreciate_VVI and_CC admire_VVI her_PPHO1 for_IF not_XX being_VBG like_II everyone_PN1 else_RR and_CC for_IF her_APPGE strength_NN1 ,_, courage_NN1 and_CC honesty_NN1 in_II being_VBG exactly_RR who_PNQS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ supposed_JJ to_TO be_VBI ,_, "_" writes_VVZ Betty_NP1 in_II Love_NN1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 ._. 
In_II time_NNT1 ,_, Betty_NP1 would_VM also_RR become_VVI an_AT1 advocate_NN1 for_IF rights_NN2 for_IF the_AT gay_JJ community_NN1 ._. 
Ellen_NP1 's_GE older_JJR brother_NN1 ,_, Vance_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS loved_VVD his_APPGE sister_NN1 and_CC supported_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, took_VVD the_AT news_NN1 that_CST his_APPGE sister_NN1 was_VBDZ gay_JJ in_II stride_NN1 ,_, served_VVD up_RP with_IW a_AT1 side_NN1 dish_NN1 of_IO humor_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 coping_NN1 tool_NN1 in_II the_AT DeGeneres_NP1 family_NN1 ._. 
Upon_II hearing_VVG the_AT news_NN1 ,_, Vance_NP1 joked_VVD with_IW Ellen_NP1 that_CST they_PPHS2 probably_RR had_VHD even_RR dated_VVN the_AT same_DA women_NN2 at_II one_MC1 time_NNT1 ._. 
Unfortunately_RR ,_, her_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE reaction_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX what_DDQ Ellen_NP1 had_VHD hoped_VVN it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI ._. 
Elliott_NP1 kicked_VVD Ellen_NP1 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT home_NN1 he_PPHS1 then_RT shared_VVN with_IW his_APPGE new_JJ wife_NN1 and_CC stepchildren_NN1 ,_, concerned_JJ that_CST Ellen_NP1 's_GE lifestyle_NN1 would_VM influence_VVI his_APPGE stepchildren_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 did_VDD help_VVI Ellen_NP1 to_TO get_VVI an_AT1 apartment_NN1 and_CC admitted_VVD later_RRR to_II Diane_NP1 Sawyer_NP1 that_CST kicking_VVG her_PPHO1 out_RP was_VBDZ a_AT1 mistake_NN1 ._. 
For_IF the_AT next_MD few_DA2 years_NNT2 --_JJ and_CC what_DDQ seemed_VVD like_II potential_JJ fodder_NN1 for_IF future_JJ comedy_NN1 skits_VVZ --_JJ Ellen_NP1 held_VVD down_RP many_DA2 jobs_NN2 in_II the_AT New_NP1 Orleans_NP1 area_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 sold_VVD clothes_NN2 at_II the_AT Merry-Go-Round_JJ chain_NN1 store_NN1 at_II the_AT Lakeside_NP1 Shopping_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, served_VVD food_NN1 ,_, painted_JJ houses_NN2 ,_, worked_VVD at_II a_AT1 car_NN1 wash_NN1 ,_, bartended_VVD ,_, wrapped_VVD gifts_NN2 (_( this_DD1 job_NN1 actually_RR did_VDD turn_VVI into_II part_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE stand-up_JJ comedy_NN1 routines_NN2 )_) ,_, sold_VVD Hoover_NN1 vacuums_NN2 ,_, and_CC shucked_VVD oysters_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA Ellen_NP1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" When_CS you_PPY live_VV0 in_II New_NP1 Orleans_NP1 ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR bound_VVNK to_TO be_VBI an_AT1 oyster_NN1 shucker_NN1 ,_, are_VBR n't_XX ya_PPY ?_? "_" 
Similar_JJ to_II her_APPGE college_NN1 experience_NN1 ,_, though_CS ,_, Ellen_NP1 realized_VVD that_CST these_DD2 various_JJ odd_JJ jobs_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX going_VVGK to_TO give_VVI her_PPHO1 a_AT1 future_NN1 ._. 
The_AT good_JJ news_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST she_PPHS1 finally_RR realized_VVN where_CS that_DD1 future_NN1 was_VBDZ --_JJ Ellen_NP1 wanted_VVD to_TO make_VVI people_NN laugh_VVI ._. 
Like_II many_DA2 aspiring_JJ comedians_NN2 ,_, Ellen_NP1 knew_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO start_VVI her_APPGE career_NN1 by_II performing_VVG in_II smaller_JJR venues_NN2 and_CC working_VVG her_APPGE way_NN1 up_RP ,_, so_RR when_CS a_AT1 friend_NN1 asked_VVD her_PPHO1 to_TO perform_VVI at_II a_AT1 luncheon_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 obliged_VVD ._. 
Ellen_NP1 gained_VVD some_DD exposure_NN1 and_CC experience_NN1 and_CC continued_VVD to_TO perform_VVI at_II small_JJ clubs_NN2 and_CC coffeehouses_NN2 in_II New_NP1 Orleans_NP1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 college_NN1 venues_NN2 ._. 
Unlike_JJ other_JJ famous_JJ stand-up_JJ comedians_NN2 of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 --_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 Richard_NP1 Pryor_NP1 ,_, Robin_NP1 Williams_NP1 ,_, or_CC Eddie_NP1 Murphy_NP1 --_NN1 Ellen_NP1 's_GE material_NN1 was_VBDZ free_JJ of_IO vulgarity_NN1 and_CC put-downs_NN2 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR no_AT discriminatory_JJ jokes_NN2 of_IO any_DD kind_NN1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, Ellen_NP1 took_VVD everyday_JJ occurrences_NN2 that_CST she_PPHS1 experienced_VVD and_CC related_VVD them_PPHO2 to_II her_APPGE audience_NN1 ._. 
Describing_VVG her_APPGE own_DA brand_NN1 of_IO humor_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI that_CST I_PPIS1 can_VM ever_RR get_VVI perspective_NN1 on_II who_PNQS I_PPIS1 am_VBM to_II other_JJ people_NN ._. 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 who_PNQS I_PPIS1 am_VBM and_CC how_RRQ I_PPIS1 feel_VV0 inside_RL ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST it_PPH1 's_VBZ kind_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX mean-spirited_JJ humor_NN1 --_NN1 it_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX a_AT1 joke_NN1 at_II someone_PN1 else_RR 's_GE expense_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 've_VH0 never_RR been_VBN interested_JJ in_II that_DD1 ._. 
So_RR I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST it_PPH1 's_VBZ nice_JJ humor_NN1 ,_, and_CC sometimes_RT it_PPH1 's_VBZ silly_JJ ,_, and_CC sometimes_RT it_PPH1 's_VBZ smart_JJ ,_, but_CCB other_II21 than_II22 that_CST I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO label_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, during_II one_MC1 of_IO her_APPGE first_MD gigs_NN2 ,_, her_APPGE whole_JJ act_NN1 involved_VVD eating_VVG a_AT1 Burger_NN1 King_NNB Whopper_NP1 and_CC fries_NN2 ._. 
The_AT gist_NN1 of_IO the_AT skit_NN1 was_VBDZ how_RRQ someone_PN1 would_VM take_VVI a_AT1 bite_NN1 of_IO food_NN1 ,_, try_VV0 to_TO speak_VVI ,_, have_VH0 you_PPY wait_VV0 a_AT1 minute_NNT1 while_CS they_PPHS2 finished_VVD ,_, but_CCB then_RT take_VV0 yet_RR another_DD1 bite_NN1 ._. 
The_AT joke_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 hit_NN1 ,_, and_CC Ellen_NP1 found_VVD herself_PPX1 getting_VVG paid_VVN to_TO make_VVI people_NN laugh_VVI ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ only_RR a_AT1 pittance_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 knew_VVD that_CST she_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO write_VVI more_DAR material_NN1 ,_, though_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 knew_VVD instinctively_RR I_PPIS1 could_VM n't_XX just_RR keep_VVI eating_VVG onstage_JJ ,_, "_" said_VVD Ellen_NP1 in_II an_AT1 interview_NN1 for_IF the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 ._. 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, hey_UH ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ that_DD1 girl_NN1 who_PNQS eats_VVZ on_II stage_NN1 ._. 
Gee_UH ,_, she_PPHS1 's_VBZ huge_JJ !_! "_" 
To_TO keep_VVI her_APPGE material_NN1 fresh_JJ ,_, Ellen_NP1 regularly_RR wrote_VVD new_JJ jokes_NN2 and_CC changed_VVD her_APPGE style_NN1 along_II the_AT way_NN1 ,_, from_II the_AT use_NN1 of_IO props_NN2 in_II her_APPGE early_JJ standup_NN1 to_II the_AT use_NN1 of_IO stories_NN2 and_CC words_NN2 in_II her_APPGE later_JJR sets_NN2 ._. 
Life_NN1 was_VBDZ looking_VVG up_RP for_IF the_AT 21-year-old_JJ ._. 
Her_APPGE comedy_NN1 career_NN1 was_VBDZ on_II the_AT rise_NN1 ;_; her_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD accepted_VVN her_APPGE homosexuality_NN1 ,_, and_CC Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ more_RGR comfortable_JJ in_II her_APPGE own_DA skin_NN1 ._. 
At_II this_DD1 time_NNT1 ,_, Ellen_NP1 was_VBDZ also_RR in_II the_AT throes_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 serious_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW 23-year-old_JJ poet_NN1 Kat_NP1 Perkoff_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS ran_VVD a_AT1 lesbian_JJ bar_NN1 in_II the_AT French_JJ Quarter_NN1 of_IO New_NP1 Orleans_NP1 ._. 
Perkoff_NP1 's_GE sister_NN1 ,_, Rachel_NP1 ,_, told_VVD People_NN magazine_NN1 that_CST the_AT two_MC were_VBDR very_RG creative_JJ people_NN who_PNQS were_VBDR young_JJ ,_, crazy_JJ ,_, and_CC very_RG much_DA1 in_II love_NN1 ._. 
