Arts & Entertainment
TLC fires Derick Dillard over transphobic comments about Jazz Jennings
the reality star appeared on ’19 Kids and Counting’ and ‘Counting On’
(Derick Dillard and Jill Duggar. Screenshot via YouTube.)
TLC has cut ties with Jill Duggar’s husband Derick Dillard over transphobic tweets he made against fellow TLC star Jazz Jennings.
On Thursday, Dillard, 28, referred to Jennings using male pronouns in a tweet that claims her parents are using her “in order 2 (sic) promote their agenda.”
“I pity Jazz, 4 those who take advantage of him in order 2 promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions 2 be made by a child,” Dillard tweets. “It’s sad that ppl would use a juvenile this way. Again, nothing against him, just unfortunate what’s on tv these days.”
I pity Jazz, 4 those who take advantage of him in order 2 promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions 2 be made by a child. It’s sad that ppl would use a juvenile this way. Again, nothing against him, just unfortunate what’s on tv these days.
— Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) November 9, 2017
Dillard also questioned whether transgender children can understand their identity.
“Also, has anyone looked into whether a child is capable of making that kind of decision. We can’t vote til we’re 18; our brains aren’t fully developed til around 25,” Dillard tweeted.
In August, Dillard retweeted a promotional tweet for Jennings’ show “I Am Jazz” calling being transgender a “myth.”
“What an oxymoron… a ‘reality’ show which follows a non-reality.’Transgender’ is a myth. Gender is not fluid; it’s ordained by God,” Dillard tweeted.
What an oxymoron… a “reality” show which follows a non-reality. “Transgender” is a myth. Gender is not fluid; it’s ordained by God. https://t.co/YxzH5o5Ujx
— Derick Dillard (@derickmdillard) August 3, 2017
Dillard has appeared on “19 Kids and Counting” and its spinoff “Counting On.” TLC has released a statement informing viewers that Dillard will no longer appear on “Counting On.”
“We want to let our viewers know that Derick Dillard has not participated in Counting On for months and the network has no plans to feature him in the future,” TLC wrote in a statement. “We want to reiterate that Derick’s personal statements do not reflect the views of the network. TLC is proud to share the story of Jazz Jennings and her family and will continue to do so.”
— TLC Network (@TLC) November 11, 2017
Jennings has not addressed the controversy directly only tweeting, “In the face of constant ignorance and hatred I prefer to disregard negative opinions and continue moving forward with love.”
In the face of constant ignorance and hatred I prefer to disregard negative opinions and continue moving forward with love?
— Jazz Jennings (@JazzJennings__) November 11, 2017
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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