Arts & Entertainment
LGBT designer responds to criticism for using child drag queen for clothing company
House of Mann sells underwear, bondage gear, among other items
(Photo via Twitter.)
LGBT designer Brandon Hilton is defending his clothing company House of Mann’s decision to use nine-year-old drag queen Lactatia to promote the line.
Twitter and online bullentin board 4chan slammed House of Mann’s Instagram photo featuring Lactatia, also known as Nemis Quinn Mélançon Golden calling it “pedophilia” and “child abuse.” Conservative news sites the Daily Caller and Breitbart News also took issue with the clothing company using Lactatia. House of Mann sells drag queen clothing as well as lingerie and bondage gear.
“Woke up to countless tweets telling me “kill yourself” and calling me a “pedo” after we announced 9 year old drag superstar Lactatia as our new HOUSE OF MANN covergirl…,” Hilton tweets. “If you can’t handle a kid in a sequin onesie, maybe the future isn’t for you.”
“I think this new generation of drag kids is brilliant and inspiring,” he continued. “@Desmond_Amazing and Lactatia are the future! @TheHouseofMann is just making sure they look SICKENING. People will talk no matter what, might as well give them something FIERCE to look at.”
woke up to countless tweets telling me “kill yourself” and calling me a “pedo” after we announced 9 year old drag superstar Lactatia as our new HOUSE OF MANN covergirl…
If you can’t handle a kid in a sequin onesie, maybe the future isn’t for you! pic.twitter.com/7HPbwzbMYX
— Brandon Hilton (@BRANDONHILTON) January 6, 2018
I think this new generation of drag kids is brilliant and inspiring!@Desmond_Amazing and Lactatia are the future! @TheHouseofMann is just making sure they look SICKENING!
people will talk no matter what, might as well give them something FIERCE to look at! pic.twitter.com/Vx5JB7aFvL
— Brandon Hilton (@BRANDONHILTON) January 6, 2018
In our eyes we are just learning to versify our capabilities and products. When Lactatia picked a custom onesie from us, we did not think to discriminate against her due to her age. Lactatia has the right to wear a onesie.
— Brandon Hilton (@BRANDONHILTON) January 9, 2018
Lactatia’s family has been supportive of the Canadian child’s drag career.
“If you wanna be a drag queen and your parents don’t let you, you need new parents,” Lactatia has said of their support.
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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.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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