Arts & Entertainment
‘Big Brother 19’ contestant upsets fans with transphobic comments
Cody Nickson, 32, references the transgender community with a slur
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Cody Nickson, a construction sales rep and Marine vet houseguest on “Big Brother 19,” has come under fire from fans offended by his transphobic comments.
Nickson, 32, was captured on “Big Brother” live feeds discussing tucking with another houseguest, Jessica Graf.
“How does one tape his di*k down?” Nickson asks. Â “I don’t know. Isn’t that at thing?” Graf replies.
Nickson responds, “For trannies, I guess.” Graf covers his mouth and Nickson makes it clear he doesn’t care if the comment is offensive.
“Do you really think I could give a sh*t that like .0000001 percent of the population is fu*k*ng trannies. I don’t give a fu*k. I promise you they’re not expecting me to really fu*king sympathize with their psychological cause,” Nickson says.
Later, Graf reminds Nickson of his earlier comments while surrounded by other houseguests.
“What you said this morning wasn’t that great either,” Graf says.
“What? Tranny? I don’t give a sh*t,” Nickson says as the rest of the houseguests laugh. “Do you really think they’re going to come at a Marine Crops infantryman for fu*king saying the word tranny?”
Some fans took offense to the comments and blasted Nickson on social media.
Cody is a disgusting little man for his transphobic comments #BB19
— Josh Koza (@JoshKoza) July 4, 2017
Big Brother 19 Cody Being a Transphobic DOUCHE BAG. A lot more than .0002% care about trans people. @CBSBigBrother https://t.co/sarbuTRiYD
— Sister Roma (@SisterRoma) July 2, 2017
You are sickening. Please please please get off your high horse. You need exposed to America and evicted ASAP https://t.co/sWe7xNfzKk #BB19
— Karley Rasmussen (@karleyrasmussen) July 4, 2017
@CBS @bigbrother this is so gross and needs to be addressed.https://t.co/7R191RrEsO
— Joey Monda (@joeymonda) July 2, 2017
The reality show, which sequesters strangers together for the summer to win $500,000, had its first transgender contestant, Audrey Middleton, on season 17.
Middleton tweeted that Nickson should be prepared to lose his job because of his transphobic remarks.
Cody the .0001% of the population isn’t going to sympathize when you lose your job… You’re going to care what we think then.. #BB19
— Audrey Middleton (@OddreyM) July 1, 2017
In season 15, multiple contestants lost their jobs for making racist and homophobic remarks.
“Big Brother” airs on Sundays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.
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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.
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