Arts & Entertainment
Violet Chachki ‘dragged’ out of Paris gay club for being ‘too femme’
the star says presenting as female caused her to get kicked out
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Violet Chachki claims she was “physically dragged out” of gay club Le Dépôt in Paris for “being too femme.”
Chachki took to Twitter to complain about the club’s treatment tweeting, “I was just physically dragged out of le depot in Paris for not being masc presenting enough. I’m in shock and disgusted. fu*k the French.”
I was just physically dragged out of le depot in Paris for not being masc presenting enough. I’m in shock and disgusted. ??fuck the French
— Violet Chachki (@VioletChachki) October 1, 2017
A video of the aftermath was also posted on Facebook.
Chachki detailed the incident to Hornet saying she four men “picked us up and dragged us out of the club.”
“It was a fashion week party. At a club that has dark rooms downstairs for sex. I was there seeing 3 friends that were performing/dj. I wasn’t in drag but I had makeup on. I met someone there who also had makeup on but was obviously male bodied but very feminine. We tried to go downstairs to the sexy part when like 4 guys picked us up and dragged us out of the club,” Chachki says.
The drag star later retracted her “fu*k the French” comment tweeting, “Obviously I love the French and I love paris. There’s good and bad people everywhere. I was upset- and rightfully so. What a drama. Over it.”
Obviously I love the French and I love paris. There’s good and bad people everywhere. I was upset- and rightfully so. What a drama. Over it
— Violet Chachki (@VioletChachki) October 2, 2017
Update: Le Dépôt has responded to Chachki’s allegations with a statement placing blame on Chachki’s behavior.
“Violet Chachki was returned to the door of the establishment following unacceptable and inappropriate behavior and several reports of clients. Violet Chachki has posted videos of the Cruising Sex space of the establishment on her Instagram account, among others, even though this is expressly forbidden in the settlement of the establishment and that it had been reminded to him several times,” the club writes.
Read the full statement below.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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