Arts & Entertainment
Queer rapper Mykki Blanco calls Delta flight investigation ‘bizarre homophobia’
Delta is investigating the incident
Queer rapper and artist Mykkie Blanco fell asleep on a Delta flight and woke up to a police investigation.
Blanco, who is on a U.S. tour with rapper Cakes Da Killa, claims a man called the police on Blanco for just sitting next to him. Blanco recounted the incident on Twitter saying, “This is the most bizarre form of homophobia I have ever encountered.”
I just took a flight from Toronto to Detroit Michigan and when I woke up the gentlemen sitting next to me had the policed called
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
He said that he was not comfortable and did not know how @Delta allowed “someone like me” to board the plane with him and sit next to him
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
This is REAL @Delta. Then I was told by a police officer that an FBI report would be made from our “interaction”, except I did not interact
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
I was told I would “go to jail” if I continued to ask questions about why this police officer was giving preferential treatment to this man
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
I was then told I could file a report myself and give “my side of the story”.. but the entire incident itself is fabricated
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
This is the most bizarre form of homophobia I have ever encountered
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 17, 2017
Delta reached out to Blanco with an apology tweeting, “Discrimination of any kind isn’t tolerated. We love ALL of our passengers” and offered to look into the situation.
@MykkiBlanco Hi Mykki, I honestly can’t believe what my eyes are reading. I am so very sorry to hear that you had to experience… 1/4
ā Delta (@Delta) February 17, 2017
@MykkiBlanco …something like this on a Delta flight. Discrimination of any kind isn’t tolerated. We love ALL of our passengers…. 2/4
ā Delta (@Delta) February 17, 2017
@MykkiBlanco …Would you mind following me for a DM to explain in detail about what happened? I will also need your confirmation… 3/4
ā Delta (@Delta) February 17, 2017
@MykkiBlanco …code. *SD 4/4
ā Delta (@Delta) February 17, 2017
Blanco says they hope the Delta cabin crew can confirm they were asleep for the duration of the flight and continued to tweet their bafflement at the incident.Ā
I’m hoping that the cabin crew @Delta can come forward to provide proof that I slept through the entire flight https://t.co/HAewpQLVxc
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 18, 2017
If the story I shared earlier involving my flight from Toronto to Detroit seems vague it’s because it is
ā mykki blanco (@MykkiBlanco) February 18, 2017
Blanco and Cakes Da Killa bring their The Stunt Queen Tour to Baltimore on March 21.
Celebrity News
John Waters released from hospital after car accident
Crash took place in Baltimore County
BY TAJI BURRIS | Baltimore filmmaker John Waters was released from the hospital Tuesday morning following a car accident.
The 78-year-old released a statement saying that although he was hurt in the Baltimore County crash, he did not sustain major injuries.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Bladeās Pride on the Pier and fireworks show returning June 8
The annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation will take place on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m.
The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 5th annual Pride on the Pier and fireworks show during D.C. Pride weekend on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 2-10 p.m.
The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.
Pride on the Pier extends the cityās annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Southwest waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older. Local DJās Heat, Eletrox and Honey will perform throughout the event.
3 p.m. – Capital Pride Parade on the Big Screen
3:30 p.m. – Drag Show hosted by Cake Pop!
9 p.m. – Fireworks Show Presented by Leonard-Litz Foundation
The event is free and open to the public. The Dockmasters Building will be home to a VIP experience. To learn more and to purchase tickets go to www.prideonthepier.com/vip. VIP tickets are limited.
Event sponsors include Absolut, Buying Time, Capital Pride, DC Brau, DC Fray, Burney Wealth Management,Ā Infinate Legacy, Leonard-Litz Foundation,Ā Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, MISTR, NBC4, The Wharf. More information regarding activities will be released at www.PrideOnThePier.com
a&e features
āRuPaulās Drag Race: All Starsā cast visits D.C.
8 queens vie for $200,000 prize for charity in new season, premiering May 17
Donning sparkling and star-studded red, white, and blue attire on a gloomy, humid D.C. Monday, the cast of the latest āRuPaulās Drag Race All Starsā season sashayed on the National Mall to promote the reality show’s ninth season.
This upcoming season is different than those in the past ā eight queens are competing for a donation of $200,000 for the charity of their choosing, rather than a personal cash prize.
Several cast members noted how it felt important to visit the nationās capital, being authentically themselves and wearing drag. Nina West, who competed in season 11, likened drag to armor.
āWeāre here during a really specific time in history, that’s, I would say, markedly dark,ā she told the Blade at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. āAnd there’s an opportunity, as drag has always done, which is for our community as specifically LGBTQI+ people, to stand in our truth and be wonderful ā like guardians and fighters for our community.ā
Sheās competing for the Trevor Project, which is focused on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for young LGBTQ people. This seasonās pivot to compete for charity made Nina West want to come back on the show for the All Stars season. Sheās been offered the spot two times before this, she said, and this twist aligned with what she wanted to do.
Several of the other queens mentioned that itās an honor to be featured in this season, including season 5ās Roxxxy Andrews. She also competed in two subsequent All-Stars seasons.
She chose the organization Miracle of Love, which provides HIV/AIDS prevention programming and assistance in central Florida. Itās a smaller, more local organization, which is why Roxxxy Andrews chose it. She wants to make its work more nationally known. Also, vying to win during a charity season makes the competition feel more rewarding, she said.
Plastique Tiara of season 11 also noted itās different competing for charity. Sheās competing for the Asian American Foundation, which launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and aims to curb discrimination and violence through education and investments in nonprofits.
āIt’s more competitive because then you’re fighting not just only for yourself, but your ideas and the things that you love,ā she said.
Vanessa Vanjie of seasons 10 and 11 agreed that competing for charity adds a bit more pressure ā she chose the ASPCA. And as onlookers near the Lincoln Memorial took pictures of and with the queens, she said she was relieved.Ā
āI was a little bit worried somebody would yell some slurs at us,ā Vanessa Vanjie said. āNothing happened. Everybody came to take pictures like Santa Claus in the middle of the mall.ā
Thereās a range of contestants from different seasons for this round of All Stars. Some queens hail from recent seasons, but Shannel competed on the showās first season. To be a part of this new season is surreal, she said.
Sheās competing for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, which she has a close tie to. Sheās dealt with anxiety her entire life. The association is focused on increasing awareness and improving diagnosis and treatment.
āI always felt like I just wasn’t normal, sadly,ā she said. āAnd so now being able to be able to do this season and to get back to that organization is like amazing to me.ā
Gottmik, from season 13, is competing for Trans Lifeline ā a nonprofit providing advocacy, a hotline and grants created by trans people, for trans people. Being able to do drag and give back is the āperfect scenario,ā Gottmik said.
Gottmik was the first openly trans man on Drag Race, which was overwhelming when first on the show. Gottmik felt pressure to be the āperfect example,ā but later realized that they didnāt have to worry so much.
āI just want to show people that trans people are real people. We can express ourselves however we want to express ourselves, through drag, through whatever it may be,ā Gottmik said.
The new season will be available to stream on Paramount+ on May 17.Ā