Comedienne Sandra Bernhard Cut From Annual Benefit Following Gang Rape Joke About Sarah Palin

Organizers for an annual benefit didn't find comedienne Sandra Bernhard funny when she delivered a "gang rape" joke about Governor Sarah Palin. She was cut as headliner for the charity event.

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Bernhard delivered the joke last month in Washington, saying that the vice presidential hopeful would be "gang-raped by my big black brothers" if she ever visited New York City.

Officials at Rosie's Place, a women's shelter in Boston, weren't laughing upon hearing the tasteless joke.

PR director Leemarie Mosca told the Associated Press, "We don't think violence against women is a laughing matter."

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

Bernhard had explained on her Web site that she doesn't wish Palin harm, and that the joke was just part of a larger piece from her show about "racism, freedom, women's rights, and the extreme views of Gov. Sarah Palin - a woman who doesn't believe that other women should have the right to choose."

She added, "I certainly wish Gov. 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."