Arts & Entertainment
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ stars slam Wendy Williams for transphobic comments
the talk show host has made off-color remarks about trans celebrities

(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 performer Stephanie Stone posted on Facebook about fellow drag performer 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.”
“Frankly, I think the decision to make Wendy Williams one of the hosts of the weekly spots framing commercial breaks for ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’s’ weekly broadcast is tone deaf, untimely and incorrect. I used to watch Wendy’s Hot Topics daily, and some of the things she said during Caitlyn Jenner’s very public transition were beyond questionable,” Alaska says. “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 don’t watch her show anymore. And I certainly don’t think she is the right person to be hosting our community’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 don’t watch her show anymore. And I certainly don’t think she is the right person to be hosting our community’s flagship television program,” Alaska continued.
In 2014 Williams also claimed transgender athlete Chloie Jönsson, 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 — 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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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)















Photos
PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
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)














