Robin Tyler (born Arlene Chernick, April 8, 1942) is the first lesbian or gay comic to come out on national television, a feminist and pioneer in the grassroots struggle for LGBTQ civil rights and marriage equality in the U.S., and a producer.

One of her first jobs was in New York City's famous Club 82, a nightclub known for its female impersonators and drag performances.

"[3] Tyler was offered the job impersonating Garland after getting caught up in a police raid at one of the city's famous drag balls.

This was the first protest and act of mass civil disobedience in support of gay marriage in the United States.

In 2003, as the US Supreme Court was hearing the case Lawrence v. Texas, Tyler co-organized national demonstrations across the United States.

When the decision from the court came down affirming that sodomy laws were unconstitutional, thousands of LGBTQ rights activists rallied by Tyler came together in celebrations across the country.

[11] Tyler became the first out lesbian on U.S. national television on a 1978 Showtime comedy special hosted by Phyllis Diller.

And it's great that as we’ve evolved as a civil rights movement, our humor has evolved to not only protect us but to be used as a weapon.”[15] The film also captures Tyler reflecting on what it meant to be an out feminist lesbian in the 1960's and the price still paid to be closeted: "Closets are vertical coffins," she declares in the film, "All you do is suffocate to death.

When Tyler and her partner Pat Harrison took on anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant as part of their television act, Tyler humorously remarked, “I don’t mind them being born again, but do they have to come back as themselves?” ABC promptly canceled their television deal.