RuPaul (Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
RuPaul has apologized for controversial statements he made regarding the place of transgender individuals in the drag community.
Ru stated he would “probably not” allow a transitioning transgender person compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and explained Peppermint was an exception because she had not fully transitioned.
“You can identify as a woman and say you’re transitioning, but it changes once you start changing your body. It takes on a different thing; it changes the whole concept of what we’re doing. We’ve had some girls who’ve had some injections in the face and maybe a little bit in the butt here and there, but they haven’t transitioned,” RuPaul told the Guardian.
Later he tweeted, “You can take performance enhancing drugs and still be an athlete, just not in the Olympics,” which caused even more backlash.
You can take performance enhancing drugs and still be an athlete, just not in the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/HkJjzXzUGm
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) March 5, 2018
Many people, including “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alumni, sent tweets of support to the transgender community and made it clear they didn’t agree with RuPaul’s thoughts.
Many queens who have been on your show have struggled w gender identity and many are trans. How disgusting to compare performance enhancing drugs to hormone replacements or other aspects of transitioning. This is incredibly disrespectful.
— tori (@toritouzinsky) March 5, 2018
How is transitioning to female “performance-enhancing”? That would seem to imply that the end goal of drag is simply to look like the fishiest woman. I was led to believe it was about charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. And turning the very idea of gender on its head.
— Quiçá (@lackOfDaysical) March 5, 2018
My partner of almost three years is trans, and #bendelachrist help anyone who tries to tell him what he can and can’t do. Just sayin’.
— bendelacreme (@bendelacreme) March 5, 2018
My drag was born in a community full of trans women, trans men, and gender non-conforming folks doing drag. That’s the real world of drag, like it or not. I thinks it’s fabulous and I will fight my entire life to protect and uplift it.
— Sasha Velour (@sasha_velour) March 5, 2018
The revolution is intersectional and so is drag
— Courtney Act (@courtneyact) March 5, 2018
Trans women were the first entertainers I ever saw in drag & have always been a big part of the industry. To now hear such words of segregation from an icon who has created a world wide community of unity, makes me sad. Is never been LGB so let’s not forget about the T!
— Gia Gunn (@GiaGunn) March 5, 2018
RuPaul has now issued an apology for his comments.
“Each morning I pray to set aside everything I THINK I know, so I may have an open mind and a new experience. I understand and regret the hurt I have caused. The trans community are heroes of our shared LGBTQ movement. You are my teachers,” RuPaul tweeted.
Each morning I pray to set aside everything I THINK I know, so I may have an open mind and a new experience. I understand and regret the hurt I have caused. The trans community are heroes of our shared LGBTQ movement. You are my teachers. pic.twitter.com/80Qi2halN2
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) March 5, 2018
He added, “In the 10 years we’ve been casting Drag Race, the only thing we’ve ever screened for is charisma uniqueness nerve and talent. And that will never change.”
In the 10 years we’ve been casting Drag Race, the only thing we’ve ever screened for is charisma uniqueness nerve and talent. And that will never change. pic.twitter.com/0jsyt6MRvO
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) March 5, 2018