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
Catfish Comedy will host “2026 Queer Kickoff Show” on Thursday, Feb. 5 at A League of Her Own (2319 18th Street, N.W.). This show features D.C.’s funniest LGBTQ and femme comedians. The lineup features performers who regularly take the stage at top clubs like DC Improv and Comedy Loft, with comics who tour nationally.
Tickets are $17.85 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Arts & Entertainment
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star and celebrated queer ally, dies at 71
Actress remembered for memorable comedic roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Home Alone’
Catherine O’Hara, the varied comedic actor known for memorable roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Home Alone,” has died at 71 on Friday, according to multiple reports. No further details about her death were revealed.
O’Hara’s death comes as a shock to Hollywood, as the Emmy award-winning actor has been recently active, with roles in both “The Studio” and “The Last of Us.” For her work in those two shows, she received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series and outstanding guest actress in a drama series.
In 2020, O’Hara won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a comedy series award for her work in the celebrated sixth and final season of “Schitt’s Creek.” She was also known as a queer ally and icon for her theatrical and often campy performances over multiple decades. In “Schitt’s Creek,” she played Moira Rose, the wig-loving mother of David Rose (played by series creator Dan Levy). David is pansexual, but the characters around him simply accept him for who he is; the show was embraced by the LGBTQ community with how naturally David’s sexuality was written and portrayed. That show ran from 2015 to 2020 and helped bring O’Hara and her co-stars into a new phase of their careers.
In a 2019 interview with the Gay Times, O’Hara explained why the show got LGBTQ representation right: “Daniel has created a world that he wants to live in, that I want to live in. It’s ridiculous that we live in a world where we don’t know how to respect each other and let each other be. It’s crazy. Other shows should follow suit and present the world and present humans as the best that we can be. It doesn’t mean you can’t laugh, that you can’t be funny in light ways and dark ways. It’s all still possible when you respect and love each other.”
Additional credits include “SCTV Network” (for which O’Hara won a writing Emmy), “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “Best in Show,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and “Dick Tracy.” O’Hara also lent her voice to “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Chicken Little,” “Monster House,” and “Elemental.” O’Hara was expected to return for Season 2 of “The Studio,” which started filming earlier this month.
Friday, January 30
Friday Tea Time will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Bring your beverage of choice. For more information, contact Mac ([email protected]).
Spark Social will host “RuPaul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party” at 8 p.m. This event will be hosted by local drag queens TrevHER and Grey, who will provide hilarious commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, January 31
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.
Sunday, February 1
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community and Conversation” at noon at As You Are. This event is for those looking to make more friends and meaningful connections in the LGBTQ+ community. Look for the Go Gay DC sign on the long table near the front window. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, February 2
“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 (adamheller@thedccenter.org).
Tuesday, February 3
Universal Pride Meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group seeks to support, educate, empower, and create change for people with disabilities. For more information, email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 4
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.
Center Aging Women’s Social and Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is a place where older LGBTQ+ women can meet and socialize with one another. There will be discussion, activities, and a chance for guests to share what they want future events to include. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.
Thursday, February 5
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5:00 pm 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, breath work 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.
-
LGBTQ Non-Profit Organizations5 days agoTask Force urges renewed organizing amid growing political threats
-
Russia5 days agoRussia designates ILGA World an ‘undesirable’ group
-
Federal Government4 days agoTop Democrats reintroduce bill to investigate discrimination against LGBTQ military members
-
Virginia4 days agoFrom the Pentagon to politics, Bree Fram fighting for LGBTQ rights
