Arts & Entertainment
Colin Jost under fire for transgender joke on ‘SNL’
the comedian defended the quip in a series of tweets
yes, the very powerful non-binary lobby is definitely the reason trump got elected. pic.twitter.com/SDwdCxLY5n
— eve peyser (@evepeyser) November 21, 2016
Colin Jost is receiving backlash for joking about Tinder’s new gender-inclusive options during Weekend Update on “Saturday Night Live.”
“The dating app Tinder announced a new feature this week which gives users 37 different gender identity options,” Jost, 34, quipped during Weekend Update. “It’s called ‘Why Democrats lost the election’.”
The joke fell flat for many who were offended by the implication that identity politics and transgender rights were the reason for President-elect Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.
Viewers took to social media to express their outrage and disappointment, but Jost stood by the joke. The comedian tweeted a link to a New York Times op-ed by Columbia professor Mark Lilla that examines the “end of identity liberalism” in defense of the joke. However, the column did little to ease the backlash.
Eventually, Jost responded to queer punk duo PWR BTTM’s tweets asking him to reconsider the insensitivity of his remark.
Yo @ColinJost, do you not get this kind hatred is why trump won the election? Shame. Shame shame shame. pic.twitter.com/OSsru9b92u
— pwr bttm? (@PWRBTTMBAND) November 21, 2016
@PWRBTTMBAND so you think 100 percent of Trump voters were hatred and 0 percent had any other rationale?
— Colin Jost (@ColinJost) November 22, 2016
@ColinJost literally explain why I, a gender non conforming person, should find this funny, and we can talk
— pwr bttm? (@PWRBTTMBAND) November 22, 2016
@ColinJost listen, I love SNL and I think you’re great. Please don’t trivialize our right to love. We are all so scared
— pwr bttm? (@PWRBTTMBAND) November 22, 2016
@PWRBTTMBAND in no way am I trying to. I’m on your side a hundred percent. Only trying to learn from this defeat and get stronger.
— Colin Jost (@ColinJost) November 22, 2016
@PWRBTTMBAND It’s politics. A lot of politics is messaging and getting America on board. I want to examine how we failed at that goal.
— Colin Jost (@ColinJost) November 22, 2016
@PWRBTTMBAND I worry about not doing any self-examination and making the same mistake again.
— Colin Jost (@ColinJost) November 22, 2016
@ColinJost this isn’t Lenny Bruce v McCarthyism: this is us afraid for our lives. Just let us have fucking tinder. Trump isn’t our fault
— pwr bttm? (@PWRBTTMBAND) November 22, 2016
Tinder opted for more gender options following a trend of transgender users being reported and removed from the app by other users.
“No one will ever be banned from Tinder because of their gender. We haven’t had the right tools to serve our diverse community in the past, but that changes today. In addition to this new feature, we are learning to be a better ally to transgender and gender non-conforming communities by allocating additional resources to our support team, which includes educating our staff about the challenges facing these communities,” Tinder announced on their website last week.
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Andy Cohen coming to D.C.
Want to dance for a good cause?
Calendar: May 3-9
Brittney Griner considered suicide in Russian prison
HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Pride season has begun
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
