Arts & Entertainment
Bob The Drag Queen drags Azealia Banks in diss track
The ‘Drag Race’ winner read the controversial rapper

(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Bob The Drag Queen has responded to the Azealia Banks controversy with a read on the controversial rapper.
Banks, who is bisexual, accused RuPaul of plagiarizing her song “The Big Big Beat” in his song “Call Me Mother.” She also ranted against “white gays” and the LGBT community.
“I’m disappointed in him [Ru] first and foremost as a black person. He was supposed to have my back … But he went with popular white gay sentiment and felt like I was disposable enough to steal from and discard. Fuck him,” Banks tweeted.
Banks also fired back at “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 10 contest Monét X Change who spoke out against her.
Now, Bob The Drag Queen has put in his two cents with a history lesson on house music and a read.
“Something that’s quite common in queer black culture is that our culture is so underground and has roots that are hard to trace so people like to come in and co-opt ideas from black queer culture and act like it’s their own idea. Now [such as] house music,” the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 8 winner says.
“House music didn’t start with Azealia Banks. House music is from the early ‘80s in Chicago when disco was fading out but you still needed something to dance to. So people – groups like Future or Frankie Knuckles – would make these amazing tracks that really caught on. So in the black queer community in Chicago it became huge and big and expansive,” he continues.
Bob then addressed Banks directly saying “Azealia Amanda Banks from Harlem, New York. Listen, since you’re so interested in co-opting black queer culture and propagating it as your own, I think it’s time to drag you deep into the miasma of one of black queer culture’s greatest traditions: reading.”
After releasing the video, Bob explained his viewpoint on Banks more in a series of tweets.
For the record i know Azaelia identifies as bisexual, but that does not stop get from being an enemy to the queer community. CONSTANT transphobic, and homophobic statements paired with Trump support means you’re done.
— Bob The Drag Queen (@thatonequeen) June 6, 2018
And when a celebrity promotes a political candidate it’s even bigger than voting for them yourself, because they convince others to do so as well.
— Bob The Drag Queen (@thatonequeen) June 6, 2018
He concluded by recommending another black queer artist of color, Big Freedia.
I’m hoping off Twitter for now. In the meanwhile if you’re looking for a black queer artist to fill the void that the talented Azaelia Banks left, and she IS truly talented, try @bigfreedia She’s talented too. https://t.co/wosc5gkUhW
— Bob The Drag Queen (@thatonequeen) June 6, 2018
Sweat DC is officially expanding to Shaw, opening a new location at 1818 7th St., N.W., on Saturday, March 28 — and they’re kicking things off with a high-energy, community-first launch event.
To celebrate, Sweat DC is hosting Sweat Fest, a free community workout and social on Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the historic Howard Theatre. The event features a group fitness class, live DJ, local food and wellness partners, and a mission-driven partnership with the Open Goal Project, which works to expand access to youth soccer for players from marginalized communities.
For more details, visit Sweat DC’s website and reserve a spot on Eventbrite.
Friday, Feb. 20
Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga will be at noon at the D.C. LGBTQ+ Community Center. Email Mac at [email protected] if you require ASL interpreter assistance, have any dietary restrictions, or questions about this event.
Trans and Genderqueer Game Night will be at 7 p.m. at the D.C. Center. This will be a relaxing, laid-back evening of games and fun. All are welcome! We’ll have card and board games on hand. Feel free to bring your own games to share. For more details, visit the Center’s website.
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Hotel Zena. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, Feb. 21
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.
LGBTQ People of Color will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This peer support group is an outlet for LGBTQ People of Color to come together and talk about anything affecting them in a space that strives to be safe and judgement free. There are all sorts of activities like watching movies, poetry events, storytelling, and just hanging out with others. For more information and events, visit thedccenter.org/poc or facebook.com/centerpoc.
Sunday, Feb. 22
Queer Talk DC will host “The Black Gay Flea Market” at 1 p.m. at Doubles in Petworth. There will be more than 15 Black queer vendors from all over the DMV in one spot. The event’s organizers have reserved the large back patio for all vendors, and the speak easy for bar service, which will be serving curated cocktails made just for the event (cash bar.) DJ Fay and DJ Jam 2x will be spinning the entire event. For more details, visit Eventbrite.
Monday, Feb. 23
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” 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 information, contact Adam at [email protected].
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so — by sharing struggles and victories the group allows those newly coming out and who have been out for a while to learn from others. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100 percent cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. 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.
Asexual and Aromantic Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 26
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center. To be more fair with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. 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 Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Sports
US wins Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey
Team captain Hilary Knight proposed to girlfriend on Wednesday
The U.S. women’s hockey team on Thursday won a gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Team USA defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. The game took place a day after Team USA captain Hilary Knight proposed to her girlfriend, Brittany Bowe, an Olympic speed skater.
Cayla Barnes and Alex Carpenter — Knight’s teammates — are also LGBTQ. They are among the more than 40 openly LGBTQ athletes who are competing in the games.
The Olympics will end on Sunday.
