Arts & Entertainment
Lil Yachty smacks down homophobic fans over new video
Rapper Lil Yachty slapped back hard at bigoted fans this week after a new video drew homophobic comments on social media.
In his new “Oprah’s Bank Account” clip, which also features Drake and DaBaby, the 22-year-old Lil Yachty appears in a wig and a dress, wearing makeup, jewelry, and heels for his comic portrayal of a female talk show host named Boprah. It’s essentially just another example in a long history of men donning women’s clothes for laughs, something comedians have been doing regularly since… well, since forever.
But in the case of Lil Yachty’s followers on Twitter, apparently tradition is not enough to justify the rapper’s Oprah drag.
One fan tweeted, “I’m convinced lil yachty is gay… why would he dress like Oprah lost me,” while another followed up with the offensive remark, “That n*gga lil yachty a whole fag for what he did.”
Another user attempted to frame their homophobia as an argument in social ethics, saying, “It’s gay and he has a influence over young minds, he’s subjecting them tho that behavior thus normalizing it… that’s not cool.”
Yet another, however, was honest enough to make it all about themselves when they proclaimed, “In my opinion you don’t need to wear no dresses or wings to sell,” adding dramatically, “how I’m suppose to take this.”
Finally, the Georgia-born Lil Yachty jumped into the fray to respond with a scathing reprimand.
“Bitch it’s just supposed to be entertaining… it ain’t even that deep,” the rapper wrote. “Y’all N*gga’s so in denial with y’all masculinity shit like this bother y’all.. relax.”
He also responded to a comment from another man, which read “You are Bi. Dressed up as a damn woman you done let the black community down.” Lil Yachty replied to the (white) commentor with a series of photos calling him out for what might be a bit of hypocrisy.
Lil Yachty demonstrated his support for the LGBTQ+ community in 2017, when he sported a rainbow-colored grill and included a gay couple kissing on the cover of his “Teenage Emotions” album.
“If you have vitiligo or if you’re gay or whatever it is, embrace yourself,” he said at the time, in response to the inevitable round of homophobic backlash. “Love yourself. Be happy, positive.”
You can watch the “offending” video below.
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Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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