Arts & Entertainment
Cardi B explains ‘Girls’ collaboration, apologizes to LGBT community
The rapper is featured on the controversial track
Cardi B (Screenshot via YouTube)
Cardi B explained her collaboration on the controversial song “Girls” and apologized to the LGBT community in a series of tweets on Tuesday.
“Girls,” which also features Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha and Charli XCX, has come under fire for exploiting the LGBT community. Lesbian pop singer Hayley Kiyoko released a statement calling the song “tone deaf” which “does more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community.”
R&B singer Kehlani, who identifies as queer, echoed Kiyoko’s sentiments tweeting “hate to be THAT guy but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like ‘word? word.’”
On the track Cardi B raps, “Now I could be your lipstick just for one night (one night) / Girls just wanna have fun, they have their funds right (yeah) / I mean, say my name, say my name, say my name (say my name). It tastes good just running up your tongue, right? (hurrr) / I put this smack on your lips all so pucker up (mwah) / We ain’t never heard of you ’cause you ain’t gun enough / And I don’t gotta introduce myself (Cardi) / I’m too sexy, I seduce myself (Bardi) / Seven figure, never need a n—a (nope) / I steal your chick, have her down with the scissor / Tonight, I don’t want a dog, I want a kitten / I might french your girls and break bread.”
The 25-year-old rapper has now revealed she’s had sexual experiences with “a lot of women” and could relate to the song.
“Listen to “GIRLS” by Rita Ora ft me @BebeRexha @charli_xcx .We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song .I personally myself had experiences with other woman ,shiieeett with a lot of woman ! I though the song was a good song and i remember my experience,” Cardi B tweeted.
Listen to “GIRLS” by Rita Ora ft me @BebeRexha @charli_xcx .We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song .I personally myself had experiences with other woman ,shiieeett with a lot of woman ! I though the song was a good song and i remember my experience .
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) May 15, 2018
Cardi B also apologized to the LGBT community for using offensive slurs. In a resurfaced interview, Cardi B refers to women she has dated as “dykes” and says although she enjoys having sex with women she could never be in a relationship with one.
cardi b calling lesbians “dykes” and saying she just needs to “rape their face” when talking about women…. she’s cancelled pic.twitter.com/La9w4Bg84f
— ㅤً (@sheluvscontrol) May 11, 2018
When the video began circulating the internet Cardi B tweeted, “WTF how am I suppose to know how to call them when in New York that’s how we call it. I’m bisexual my self and I been involved with woman and my sister is a lesbian. You motherf–kers try to find a problem with everything. If I’m going to apologize for something is for not knowing what are the right terms to call people. You guys want me to be something that I’m not I’m not going to let you make me feel like I’m something that I’m not. Ya so quick to bash but not educate.”
The tweets have since been deleted.
Cardi B made another apology saying she wasn’t educated on LGBT slurs.
“I know i have use words before that i wasn’t aware that they are offensive to the LGBT community. I apologize for that. Not everybody knows the correct “terms “to use.I learned and i stopped using it,” Cardi B writes.
I know i have use words before that i wasn’t aware that they are offensive to the LGBT community .I apologize for that .Not everybody knows the correct “terms “to use.I learned and i stopped using it.
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) May 15, 2018
One fan responded tweeting, “I went through this myself. I grew up in a small city where people always said “dike” so I thought it was an okay thing to say but when I moved away I quickly learned it was offensive. We all learn and grow boo that’s life.”
Cardi B responded that she had a similar experience tweeting, “Exactly me too .My own friends be like ‘I’m a dyke so i never thought it was a offensive word .I was like wtf.'”
Exactly me too .My own friends be like “ I’m a dyke so i never thought it was a offensive word .I was like wtf ? https://t.co/rYaldJnLHN
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) May 15, 2018
Sports
Jason Collins dies at 47
First openly gay man to actively play for major sports team battled brain cancer
Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to actively play for a major professional sports team, died on Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 47.
The California native had briefly played for the Washington Wizards in 2013 before coming out in a Sports Illustrated op-ed.
Collins in 2014 became the first openly gay man to play in a game for a major American professional sports league when he played 11 minutes during a Brooklyn Nets game. He wore jersey number 98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student murdered outside of Laramie, Wyo., in 1998.
Collins told the Washington Blade in 2014 that his life was “exponentially better” since he came out. Collins the same year retired from the National Basketball Association after 13 seasons.
Collins married his husband, Brunson Green, in May 2025.
The NBA last September announced Collins had begun treatment for a brain tumor. Collins on Dec. 11, 2025, announced he had Stage 4 glioblastoma.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” said Collins’s family in a statement the NBA released. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Collins’s “impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA, and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
“He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador,” said Silver. “Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”
“To call Jason Collins a groundbreaking figure for our community is simply inadequate. We truly lost a giant today,” added Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson in a statement. “He came out as gay — while still playing — at a time when men’s athletes simply did not do that. But as he powerfully demonstrated in his final years in the league and his post-NBA career, stepping forward as he did boldly changed the conversation.”
“He was and will always be a legend for the LGBTQ+ community, and we are heartbroken to hear of his passing at the young age of 47,” she said. “Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones. We will keep fighting on in his honor until the day everyone can be who they are on their terms.”
The Washington Blade will update this article with additional reaction when it becomes available.
Glitterati Productions held the “Studio 69” party at Bunker on Friday, May 8.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
Washington Blade’s Pride on the Pier returns June 13 to kick off D.C. Pride week
Pride on the Pier officially launches Pride Week in D.C.
The Washington Blade’s annual Pride on the Pier celebration returns to The Wharf on Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 4-9 p.m., bringing thousands of LGBTQ community members and allies together for an unforgettable waterfront celebration to kick off Pride week in Washington, D.C.
Now in its eighth year, Washington Blade Pride on the Pier extends the city’s annual celebration of LGBTQ visibility to the bustling Wharf waterfront with an exciting array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The District Pier will offer DJs, dancing, drag, and other entertainment. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase for those 21 and older.
“Pride on the Pier has become one of the signature moments of Pride in D.C.,” said Lynne Brown, publisher of the Washington Blade. “There’s nothing like watching our community come together on the waterfront with live music and incredible energy as we kick off Pride week.”
Pride on the Pier is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for exclusive pier access to the Dockmaster Building. To purchase VIP tickets visit www.prideonthepierdc.com/vip.
Additional entertainment announcements, sponsor activations, and event details will be released in the coming weeks.
Event Details:
📍 Location: District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq SW, Washington, DC)
📅 Dates: Friday, 13, 2026
⏱️ 4-9PM
🎟️ VIP Tickets: www.PrideOnThePierDC.com/VIP
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