Arts & Entertainment
Boy George accused of biphobia amid George Michael suicide tweet
the Culture Club frontman remarked on hacking accusation
Boy George (Photo courtesy High Rise PR)
Boy George is denying accusations that he is biphobic after posting a series of tweets referencing George Michael’s death.
Michael’s partner Fadi Fawaz’s Twitter account released tweets that implied Michael’s death was a suicide. Michael passed away on Christmas day at the age of 53. The post-mortem investigation was found to be inconclusive.
“Not sure who that nasty close friend of George but I was in a relationship with George Michael till I found him dead in bed. The only thing George wanted is to DIE. He tried numbers of times to kill himself many times and finally he managed,” the tweets read.
Fawaz told The Mirror he was “shocked” by the tweets and that his Twitter account had been hacked.
Boy George sent a tweet that was believed to be about the Michael suicide tweets.
“Ok. ‘My computer got hacked’ is like ‘I’m bisexual’ or ‘I’m sniffing because I have allergies!’” Boy George tweeted. The tweet has since been deleted.
Many took offense to Boy George’s message on bisexuality.
@BoyGeorge as a long time bisexual fan I’m kind of hurt that you’d reduce my valid sexuality to a lie or joke.
— hannah ♏️ (@_wadeywiIson) January 2, 2017
@BoyGeorge but it read as “bisexuality is a joke” ….
— emily (@princxss_em) January 2, 2017
@BoyGeorge but actual bisexuals were upset by your words. We have enough trouble getting the world to acknowledge our existence already.
— San Jose Left Shark (@kshandra) January 2, 2017
The Culture Club frontman responded to the criticism with a series of tweets but has not commented to the media.
Bi-phobic? Yeah, of course. Suck my bigot toe! :)
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 2, 2017
I love a bisexual. I ride a bicycle! https://t.co/9qXDSSmYcO
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 2, 2017
My point completely but that doesn’t mean some people are not genuinely bi. https://t.co/h3zFRzltwA
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 2, 2017
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
