Arts & Entertainment
Ginuwine receives backlash for refusing to kiss trans ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ co-star
the D.C. singer’s opinion has divided the internet
(Ginuwine and India Willoughby on ‘Celebrity Big Brother UK.’ Screenshot via YouTube.)
Ginuwine has sparked controversy after he refused to kiss his fellow “Celebrity Big Brother UK” co-star India Willoughby.
The interaction began when Willoughby, who is a transgender broadcaster in the U.K., asked Ginuwine, a D.C. native, if he would date a transgender woman.
“I’m a woman, right,” Willoughby says. “Forget about any ‘t’s, or anything in front of it. So, on that score, you would date me, wouldn’t you?”
“Not if you told me you was trans,” Ginuwine replies.
“No, no, I’m not telling you I’m trans,” Willoughby says. “I’m a woman.”
“A woman? Yeah,” Ginuwine says.
Willoughby reaches in to kiss the singer who quickly pulls away.
The clip has divided social media as some people felt Ginuwine was being transphobic and close-minded.
Ginuwine discriminates against trans women, as do most cis men.
That was India’s point. #cbb— ?Pineapple Jimmy (@TonyTheNarwhal) January 7, 2018
Irrespective of how nasty India is, (& she hates other trans ppl too), does Ginuwine know how much he’s insulted ALL trans women by saying he’d never date a trans woman. Also presumptuous & arrogant of him to assume we’d all be lining up to go out with him.
— Katie (@Katie97531200) January 7, 2018
The shit between India and Ginuwine IS transphobia & im tired of them saying that it isn’t. If you say you won’t date someone because they’re trans but you would date them if you didn’t know, IT IS TRANSPHOBIA.
— Kiera (@ForeverRawrrr)
Meanwhile, other people thought he has a right to his opinion and Willoughby was harassing the singer. Malika Haqq, who is also on “Celebrity Big Brother UK,” defended Ginuwine saying there’s nothing wrong with him choosing who he wants to date.
I completely agree with Malika, Ginuwine has the choice/right to date or not date whoever he wants, just as I'm sure he probably wouldn't date Ann, would she storm off and be mad , no .. I feel that India is taking things as a personal attack .. and they aren't ..
— Susan Nathan-Meloy (@SusanMeloy) January 7, 2018
That's ridiculous. He's entitled to his own sexual preferences and that doesn't include transwomen but plenty more fish in the sea for India
— James Anderson (@JamesLeslie123) January 8, 2018
India asked Ginuwine if he’d date a trans woman and he simply said No – just like when India was asked if she’d date a woman and she said No
— Lee (@sunlessreign481) January 8, 2018
Ginuwine saying he wouldn’t date a trans woman is a preference not discrimination… plus he barely knows the woman, if you out here kissing random people then you got a problem
— Ashley (@ItsAshley____) January 8, 2018
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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