Arts & Entertainment
Billy Porter responds to conservative backlash over upcoming ‘Sesame Street’ appearance
Billy Porter, whose gender-defiant fashion choices continue to trigger conservatives every time he makes a public appearance, has found himself at the center of yet another controversy – and predictably, it springs from the knee-jerk reaction of a Republican politician to news that the Tony- and Emmy-winning “Pose” star made a stop on “Sesame Street.”
The latest storm-in-a-homophobic-teacup started when the iconic children’s program shared on-set photos of Porter to social media on January 30. The photos, taken while the out (and outspoken) star was filming an appearance on an upcoming episode of the show, reveal him dressed in the velvet tuxedo gown designed for him by Christian Siriano – a look that became instantly iconic when he first debuted it at the 2019 Oscars.
The photos prompted an immediate backlash from Arkansas state senator Jason Rapert, who took to Facebook for an outraged post.
“Do you approve of your taxpayer dollars being used to promote the radical LGBTQ agenda?”, the 47-year-old Republican wrote, going on in the comments to threaten that he could sponsor a bill to cut state funding for PBS, which airs “Sesame Street.” The show, which is in its 51st season, is now by HBO, but is still aired nationwide by affiliates of the public television network.
“Taxpayer funds should not be used to try and manipulate young children with the political agenda and worldview of LGBTQ activism,” wrote Rapert, in a follow-up post. “Political interest groups can pay for their own messaging and do as they please, but the hardworking taxpayers of America DO NOT have to pay the bills for your efforts. I object to PBS and [local PBS affiliate] AETN rebroadcasting any LGBTQ activist programming using public funds. Not the right time or the right place.”
Shortly thereafter, a petition was launched by the pro-life site LifePetitions calling for the removal of Porter’s appearance from the upcoming show, accusing “Sesame Street” of trying “to sexualize children using drag queens” and demanding that the 10-time Emmy-winning series, “Let children be children, and stop trying to force this corrupting and dangerous influence on the youth of America.”
Porter was having none of it. Speaking to Page Six at an anniversary party for Saks’ L’Avenue restaurant in New York, the LGBTQ superstar snapped back at the critics, “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.”
He went on to question why people would make a mental association between his dress and “perverted demon sex,” pondering, “Like, what about me singing with a penguin [on the show] has anything to do with what I’m doing in my bedroom?”
“The really interesting thing for me,” the history-making actor, singer, and activist added, “is that that’s what it’s all about when it comes to LGBTQ people — the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we having sex.
“Stay out of my bedroom and you will be fine — that is none of your business.”
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.’”
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