Arts & Entertainment
‘Big Brother 19’ contestant upsets fans with transphobic comments
Cody Nickson, 32, references the transgender community with a slur
Cody Nickson, a construction sales rep and Marine vet houseguest on “Big Brother 19,” has come under fire from fans offended by his transphobic comments.
Nickson, 32, was captured on “Big Brother” live feeds discussing tucking with another houseguest, Jessica Graf.
“How does one tape his di*k down?” Nickson asks. “I don’t know. Isn’t that at thing?” Graf replies.
Nickson responds, “For trannies, I guess.” Graf covers his mouth and Nickson makes it clear he doesn’t care if the comment is offensive.
“Do you really think I could give a sh*t that like .0000001 percent of the population is fu*k*ng trannies. I don’t give a fu*k. I promise you they’re not expecting me to really fu*king sympathize with their psychological cause,” Nickson says.
Later, Graf reminds Nickson of his earlier comments while surrounded by other houseguests.
“What you said this morning wasn’t that great either,” Graf says.
“What? Tranny? I don’t give a sh*t,” Nickson says as the rest of the houseguests laugh. “Do you really think they’re going to come at a Marine Crops infantryman for fu*king saying the word tranny?”
Some fans took offense to the comments and blasted Nickson on social media.
Cody is a disgusting little man for his transphobic comments #BB19
— Josh Koza (@JoshKoza) July 4, 2017
Big Brother 19 Cody Being a Transphobic DOUCHE BAG. A lot more than .0002% care about trans people. @CBSBigBrother https://t.co/sarbuTRiYD
— Sister Roma (@SisterRoma) July 2, 2017
You are sickening. Please please please get off your high horse. You need exposed to America and evicted ASAP https://t.co/sWe7xNfzKk #BB19
— Karley Rasmussen (@karleyrasmussen) July 4, 2017
@CBS @bigbrother this is so gross and needs to be addressed.https://t.co/7R191RrEsO
— Joey Monda (@joeymonda) July 2, 2017
The reality show, which sequesters strangers together for the summer to win $500,000, had its first transgender contestant, Audrey Middleton, on season 17.
Middleton tweeted that Nickson should be prepared to lose his job because of his transphobic remarks.
Cody the .0001% of the population isn’t going to sympathize when you lose your job… You’re going to care what we think then.. #BB19
— Audrey Middleton (@OddreyM) July 1, 2017
In season 15, multiple contestants lost their jobs for making racist and homophobic remarks.
“Big Brother” airs on Sundays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.
Celebrity News
More than 1 million people attend Madonna concert in Rio
Free event took place on Copacabana Beach on Saturday
An estimated 1.6 million people on Saturday attended Madonna’s free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach.
The concert, which was the last one as part of Madonna’s Celebration Tour, included a tribute to people lost to AIDS.
Bob the Drag Queen introduced Madonna before the concert began. Pabllo Vittar, a Brazilian drag queen and singer, and Anitta, a bisexual pop star who was born in Rio’s Honório Gurgel neighborhood, also joined Madonna on stage.
Congresswoman Erika Hilton, a Black travesti and former sex worker, and Rio Municipal Councilwoman Mônica Benício, the widow of Marielle Franco, a bisexual Rio Municipal Councilwoman who was assassinated in 2018, are among those who attended the concert.
“Madonna showed that we fight important fights for the human rights of Black (people), young (people), women and LGBTQIA+ people, and against all injustice, discrimination, and violence,” said Associaçao Nacional de Travestis e Transexuais (National Association of Travestis and Transsexuals), a Brazilian trans rights group known by the acronym ANTRA, on its X account. “What they call identitarianism’ is our subversion to the retrograde and conservative tackiness that plagues the country.”
The Associated Press reported the concert was Madonna’s biggest ever.
The DC Center for the LGBTQ Community, SMYAL and Rainbow Families sponsored Gay Day at the Zoo on Sunday at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The Smithsonian observed International Family Equality Day with special exhibits and an event space.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Covering Gay Day at the Zoo for @WashBlade . Here at @NationalZooDC pic.twitter.com/LqgGNOOAiM
— Michael Patrick Key (@MichaelKeyWB) May 5, 2024
Photos
PHOTOS: Taste of Point
Annual fundraiser held for LGBTQ youth scholarship, mentorship organization
The Point Foundation held its annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on May 2.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)