Arts & Entertainment

Perez Hilton says he doesn’t want his son to be gay because it’s ‘easier’

the celebrity blogger also doesn’t want to put his child in dance class

Published

7 years ago

April 3, 2018

Mariah Cooper

Perez Hilton (Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)

Perez Hilton posted a YouTube video to clarify remarks he made on his podcast that he doesn’t want to enroll his five-year-old son Mario in dance class because boys who dance “end up being gay.”

“This is all stemming from me saying on [my] podcast that I wouldn’t put my son into dance class because I think dance class might help make your son gay,” the celebrity blogger begins. “And I wasn’t even joking.”

“I would say a good amount — maybe like 50 percent or more — of little boys who take dance class end up being gay,” Hilton continued. “I don’t think that’s a homophobic thing to say. Just like I don’t think it’s a homophobic thing to say that a disproportionate amount of male singer/actor/dancers on Broadway are gay. There are more gay men drawn to that profession… That’s just a fact.”

Hilton, who is also the father to two-year-old Mia and five-month-old Mayte, went on that he would prefer if his children weren’t gay.

“If I had my preference, I’d prefer my son to be heterosexual because it’s easier,” he says.

“As a gay man, I’m not ashamed to be gay… but if I could go back in time and, when I was 18, be given a choice, I would have chosen then to be heterosexual… Being a gay man [around the world] is still a harder road to travel on,” Hilton, who has stated he believes he was born gay, says.

However, Hilton emphazised that whatever gender or sexuality identity his son is he will support him regardless.

“If my son turns out to be gay, or if he’s already gay but not able to articulate that yet because he’s only 5, I will love my son unconditionally and support him. If my son is transgender, I will love him and support him unconditionally,” Hilton says. “[But] ultimately, every decision I make for my son is what I think is best for his future. I don’t want to do anything that could potentially hurt him.”

People responded to Hilton’s comments with some understanding his point of view and others disagreeing.

As a mom of a wonderful gay son, I totally know what you mean. I’m proud of his strength to be who he is in a red state. I can only imagine how hard his school and social life have been.

— Shannon Reister (@wifeofrooster) April 1, 2018

I totally see your point & you’d know it’s much harder. But as loving parents we should accept & support our kids sexuality. We are who we are ??? love your truthfulness

— Kerrie Shoesmith (@kerrieshoesmit1) April 2, 2018

You know what the secret is, you let your children BE, let them express who and what they want to be. I’m surprised by your statement saying something can “make you gay” come on now

— Gina ? (@GPapoli) April 2, 2018

Honestly I really get it… it is not a “bad” life but it’s harder… also Perez I had two girls I thought I would be doing princess and tutus all my life but your kids totally direct you to what activities they enjoy most..

— karen (@KarenRatbone) April 1, 2018

Watch below.

Calendar

Calendar: March 21-27

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

5 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, March 21

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 2 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Saturday, March 22

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Black Lesbian Support Group will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-led support group devoted to the joys and challenges of being a Black lesbian. You do not need to be a member of the Beta Kappa Chapter or the Beta Phi Omega Sorority in order to join, but they do ask that you either identify as a lesbian or are questioning that aspect of your identity. For more details, email [email protected].

Sunday, March 23

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Coffee and Conversation” at 1:30 p.m. at As You Are. This event is for someone looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ community. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, March 24

“Center Aging Monday Coffee & Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Queer Book Club will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This month’s read is “Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe” by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. For more information, email [email protected].

Tuesday, March 25

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is for people who identify outside of the gender binary – whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a peer-facilitated discussion group and a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.

Wednesday, March 26

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

LGBTQ Senior Spring Fling Dinner and Dance will be at 6 p.m. at the True Reformer Building. Join Capitol Hill Village, DACL, The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, Iona, and Seabury for its first-ever event of this kind, where there’ll be a DJ, special party favors, and lots of good food. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website.

Thursday, March 27

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga with Sarah M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.

Photos

PHOTOS: Ziegfeld’s/Secrets Reunion Party

Crush event celebrates legendary venue

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2025

Michael Key

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the Ziegfeld's/Secrets Reunion Party at Crush Dance Bar on Saturday, March 15. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

A Ziegfeld’s/Secrets Reunion Party was held on Saturday, March 15 at Crush Dance Bar. The event celebrated and remembered the legendary local LGBTQ venue Ziegfeld’s/Secrets, closed in 2020. Performers at the reunion party drag show included Ella Fitzgerald, Destiny B. Childs, Tatiyanna Voche and Kristal Smith.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)