Arts & Entertainment
Trixie Mattel criticized for racist joke about picking cotton
The ‘Drag Race’ winner stands by the performance
Trixie Mattel (Photo by Jagc Photography)
“RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3” winner Trixie Mattel is under fire after a racist joke from a roast in Denver, Colorado resurfaced online.
During the show, Mattel is roasting fellow “Drag Race” star Latrice Royale.
“I couldn’t decide what to wear so I wore this. It’s just like a cotton. Latrice picked it,” Mattel says.
When some of the audience members started to boo and groan Mattel replied, “Oh, is that too far, Denver? What did you forget to invite your black friends tonight?”
Some people on social media also didn’t find the joke funny including transgender model Munroe Bergdorf.
“Dear @trixiemattel … You do not get to ‘make racism funny’. This may have been a joke but calling any black person a slave for laughs is really fucking stupid, insensitive and plain old racist…,” Bergdorf tweeted. “It also shows the extent to which you lack understanding of how pop culture can set a bar for what people think is publicly acceptable behaviour. Drag Race fandom is already hella racist and problematic when if comes to treatment of the shows black queens…
“So instead of trying to turn black history and trauma into a joke for your own gain… How about you use your platform to resist that mentality, rather than perpetuate it? Be the solution, not the problem. This is racism thinly disguised as comedy,” she added.
Dear @trixiemattel … You do not get to ‘make racism funny’. This may have been a joke but calling any black person a slave for laughs is really fucking stupid, insensitive and plain old racist… pic.twitter.com/N15UGyaHbz
— Munroe Bergdorf ?? (@MunroeBergdorf) July 5, 2018
It also shows the extent to which you lack understanding of how pop culture can set a bar for what people think is publicly acceptable behaviour.
Drag Race fandom is already hella racist and problematic when if comes to treatment of the shows black queens…
— Munroe Bergdorf ?? (@MunroeBergdorf) July 5, 2018
So instead of trying to turn black history and trauma into a joke for your own gain… How about you use your platform to resist that mentality, rather than perpetuate it? Be the solution, not the problem. This is racism thinly disguised as comedy.
— Munroe Bergdorf ?? (@MunroeBergdorf) July 5, 2018
Despite the backlash, Mattel stood by her joke tweeting, “If you think drag queens apologize for jokes at a roast, you watch too much TV.”
If you think drag queens apologize for jokes at a roast, you watch too much TV.
— Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) July 5, 2018
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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