Arts & Entertainment
Ariana Grande’s new song sparks queerbaiting controversy
The Victoria Monét collab includes the lyrics ‘I like women and men’


Ariana Grande says she doesn’t like to label her sexuality after some people were skeptical about her new song’s bisexual lyrics.
Grande released “Monopoly” with her friend and singer/songwriter Victoria Monét. In the song, Grande and Monét both sing the lyric “I like women and men (yeah).” Grande also sings the line by herself later in the song.
Monét came out as bisexual in November 2018 tweeting “After coming out, this thanksgiving coulda went
A source told People that Grande “is of course a well-known LGBT ally and this is her supporting her friends.”
Grande expressed on Twitter that she doesn’t feel the need to label her sexuality.
i haven’t before and still don’t feel the need to now ???♂️ which is okay
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) April 1, 2019
Monét backed up her friend by telling a fan Grande “said what she said” on the song.
Some fans were glad Grande was being open with them about her sexuality.
SO ARIANA GRANDE IS POSSIBLY BI?? ANOTHER WIN FOR THE GAYS pic.twitter.com/mUJ8kZYjDW
— bryan! (@bryanvilIa) April 1, 2019
y’all accused ariana of queerbaiting and it turned out she’s bisexual. y’all dragged her just because she’s not showing off her sexuality as a personality trait like some of y’all do
— uǝq (@nootearstocry) April 2, 2019
YALL ARE BOO BOO THE FOOLS. pic.twitter.com/HkcFZfmrav
dont forget that ariana might be bi but she could also still be figuring herself out/exploring and she might not label herself yet . she could be trying it out feel comfortable expressing it thru music
— naya (@lovedlust) April 1, 2019
Others felt Grande wasn’t talking about her own sexuality in the song but was queerbaiting.
Can Ariana Grande stop queerbaiting and treating bisexuality like it’s some cute fuckin joke for straight women to play with??? Thank u, next ?
— 〘 Anne Lorraine 〙 (@LegitLorraine) April 1, 2019
Ariana will never publicly come out and say she’s bisexual because that would require her actually being attracted to women(not just kissing for fun like every straight girl) she’ll say sexuality is fluid while still only dating men so she doesn’t get accused of queerbaiting pic.twitter.com/23yPVfSMbg
— Nae (@DeepSpaceYonce) April 1, 2019
Ariana retired doing blackface and has moved onto pretending to be bisexual pic.twitter.com/DEwsVofPlG
— brandon (@cabelIo) March 31, 2019

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)






















The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)



















In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.

Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”