I’m just explaining where the presented argument was misunderstood. I for one think the joke is funny and works in either direction, but I tend to have a more “everyone is fair game” approach to comedy than “you can only make a joke if you, member of subclass A, are ranked below the target subject, subclass B, and societal context approves of your message”. “Punching up/ down” only really matters IMO when all someone seems to know how to do is punch down.

No. That’s the point they’re making.

Gay person joking about a straight person = punching up.

Straight person joking about a gay person = punching down.