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
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)












Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
-
Congress4 days agoEXCLUSIVE: Pelosi reflects on four decades of LGBTQ advocacy
-
District of Columbia4 days agoDavid Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals
-
a&e features4 days agoD.C. prepares to party as Pride celebrations kick off Saturday
-
Photos4 days agoPHOTOS: Fairfax City Pride
