RuPaul: I am more committed to trans equality after ‘transphobic’ shemale joke
RuPaul has said he is more committed to trans equality after complaints about a ‘shemale’ segment on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’.
In the “Female or She-male” segment which aired earlier this month, the contestants had to guess from a picture whether someone was a “biological or psychological” woman, by waving a sign that said ‘shemale’ in the air.
After adverse reaction to the use of the word ‘shemale’, the drag artist today co-signed a statement from the show’s producers, which read: “We delight in celebrating every colour in the LGBT rainbow.
“When it comes to the movement of our trans sisters and trans brothers, we are newly sensitized and more committed than ever to help spread love, acceptance and understanding.”
A statement from TV channel Logo said: “We have heard the concerns around this segment. We are committed to sharing a diverse range of trans stories across all of our screens and look forward to featuring positive and groundbreaking stories of trans people in the future.”
Four former Drag Race contestants, Sonique, Carmen Carrera, Kenya Michaels and Monica Beverly Hillz, have come out as transgender, and the show has previously devoted time to trans issues.
GLAAD released a statement that said: “The mistakes made in this segment should not be repeated. These words only serve to dehumanize transgender people and should not be used.
“The morning after the segment aired GLAAD staff reached out to Logo and shared our own concerns, as well as the feedback we heard from the trans community. We also talked directly to the producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
“The mistakes made in this segment should not be repeated.”
Watch the segment via Slate.com below:
