Arts & Entertainment
Deadmau5 apologizes for ‘homophobic,’ ‘transphobic’ comments
The DJ also made insensitive remarks about autism

Deadmau5 (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Deadmau5 (real name Joel Zimmerman) has issued an apology after he was accused of making “homophobic” and “transphobic” comments during an online argument about his mouse helmet.
The comments began when a user made a jab about the Canadian DJ’s neck getting sweaty in the helmet.
“There’s a fan in it. let’s be honest here, there are far worse fates, and if im a betting man, i’ll bet you suck a guy off for 40 grand ZERO fucking questions asked. So don’t talk to me about mouse heads,” Zimmerman responded in a since-deleted tweet.
A user saw the exchanged and commented: “Hey maybe don’t say homophobic shit like ‘I bet you suck a guy off’ as if that’s something to be ashamed of or ridiculed for? Not a good look for a high profile musical artist.”
Zimmerman replies, “fine. How many biological women have you sucked off? there i fixed it.”
When the user questioned how that made his tweet any better Zimmerman responds, “it just illustrates the obvious fucking point here. women don’t posses penises. you’ll find out when you’re older.”
Zimmerman soon apologized for the comments and deleted the tweets.
“i wasnt trying to make blatant transphobic statements, just got into a heated arguement with some dude online said something dumb and the internet took it way into somewhere unintended. I’ve since deleted the tweets, im not that kind of person. my apologies,” Zimmerman wrote.
i wasnt trying to make blatant transphobic statements, just got into a heated arguement with some dude online said something dumb and the internet took it way into somewhere unintended. I’ve since deleted the tweets, im not that kind of person. my apologies. https://t.co/eUJtjgmYAY
— Goat lord (@deadmau5) October 8, 2018
Zimmerman was also called out for making insensitive remarks about autism. In a gaming video making the rounds online, Zimmerman is heard calling Slushii’s music “AIDS music” and “autistic”
Slushii posted the video on Twitter and revealed that he has been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
as someone who’s actually on the autism spectrum, this is really disappointing @deadmau5 https://t.co/aCOa02p7Ck
— SLUSHII (@SlushiiMusic) October 10, 2018
Zimmerman issued another apology explaining that he will be seeking professional help for “his own mental health challenges.”
“This has been a very difficult period and I sincerely apologize for my comments which were completely offensive and I take full responsibility,” Zimmerman writes. “My desire to start a label was to uplift my community and give opportunities to the next generation, and I have fallen very short of that goal.”
— Goat lord (@deadmau5) October 11, 2018
Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.
There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.
Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Out & About
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery
The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.
The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.
