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‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ stars slam Wendy Williams for transphobic comments

the talk show host has made off-color remarks about trans celebrities

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(Screenshot via YouTube.)

Some “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars want Wendy Williams fired from hosting the drag competition’s live show because of past transphobic behavior, Vulture reports.

Williams, known for her daytime talk show “The Wendy Williams Show,” currently hosts VH1’s preshow/viewing party for the latest season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” with co-host Ross Matthews. Drag performerĀ Stephanie Stone posted on Facebook about fellow drag performerĀ Erick Atoure Aviance’s experience on “The Wendy Williams Show” to showcase why the hosting gig seemed wrong.

In 2009 Aviance was not allowed to don drag while in the show’s audience. Show executives cited their “no costume policy” as the reason but issued an apology for the incident.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Detox posted Stone’s comment on Instagram captioned, “She is NOT an ally. She is transphobic. If anything, she is an ENEMY. An enemy profiting off of our community.

“Drag Race” judge Michelle Visage replied to the post with a simple, “Yup.”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” season two winner Alaska spoke with Unicorn Booty and says Williams has also made transphobic comments about Caitlyn Jenner. In 2015 Williams commented that Jenner was not included on the Kardashian/Jenner Cosmopolitan cover because she still “had a member.”

ā€œFrankly, I think the decision to make Wendy Williams one of the hosts of the weekly spots framing commercial breaks for ‘RuPaulā€™s Drag Raceā€™s’ weekly broadcast is tone deaf, untimely and incorrect. I used to watch Wendyā€™s Hot Topics daily, and some of the things she said during Caitlyn Jennerā€™s very public transition were beyond questionable,ā€ Alaska says.Ā ā€œAt that time, much of the nation was learning to navigate trans visibility for the first time and needed guidance and clarity from the media. But instead Wendy repeatedly spouted ignorance and transphobic rhetoric to a daily audience of millions. I donā€™t watch her show anymore. And I certainly donā€™t think she is the right person to be hosting our communityā€™s flagship television program.”

“At that time, much of the nation was learning to navigate trans visibility for the first time and needed guidance and clarity from the media. But instead, Wendy repeatedly spouted ignorance and transphobic rhetoric to a daily audience of millions. I donā€™t watch her show anymore. And I certainly donā€™t think she is the right person to be hosting our communityā€™s flagship television program,” Alaska continued.

In 2014 Williams also claimed transgender athlete Chloie Jƶnsson, who sued after not being allowed to compete in the women’s division of the CrossFit Games, had an “unfair advantage.” Williams brought up Chaz Bono as an example saying, “she still fights like a girl.”

“This is an unfair advantage,” Williams said.”You can take away female or male parts or whatever ā€” it’s like Chaz Bono. You know, Chaz is a man now, but I bet she still fights like a girl like the rest of us, and she’s not as strong as a man who was born a man.”

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Out & About

Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth

Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party

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Sarah McBride is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks at the Bladeā€™s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party on May 17 in Rehoboth Beach. (Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

The Washington Bladeā€™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. 

Itā€™s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nationā€™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 ā€” Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall ā€” are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochesterā€™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 Bladeā€™s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sothebyā€™s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.

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Out & About

Andy Cohen coming to D.C.

‘Real Housewives’ producer to return to Sixth & I

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Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen, executive producer of ā€œThe Real Housewivesā€ franchise and host of ā€œWatch What Happens Live,ā€ 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, ā€œThe Daddy Diaries,ā€ 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 ā€œThe Real Housewivesā€ in congressional hearings.

Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

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Bars & Parties

Want to dance for a good cause?

Artists Mercedes and Desto host a queer party

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(Image via Eventbrite)

ā€œHerses- Purse Frist Extravaganzaā€ 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.

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