The popular TV show “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is embroiled in controversy over the selection of Wendy Williams for a recap program. Several former contestants are opposed to the decision to have Williams co-host the weekly “Fierce Fridays,” a live “Drag Race” viewing party along with comedian Ross Matthews. The main reason being cited are the comments and behavior by Williams that some believe are transphobic.
The story goes back to when Williams made a statement about transgender athlete Chloie Jonsson and her lawsuit against fitness company CrossFit. Johnson was barred from competing in the women’s division of the CrossFit Games, saying that it would be unfair for her to compete because she was born a man. Johnson has had gender reassignment surgery and is recognized as a woman in the state of California and sued the company for $2.5 million for gender discrimination. Williams chimed in on the situation by stating during a panel discussion on her morning talk show, “This is an unfair advantage … you can take away female parts or male parts or whatever — it’s like Chaz Bono! You know Chaz is a man now, but I bet she [sic] still fights like a girl like the rest of us and she’s [sic] not as strong as a man who was born a man.”
Williams’ comments were echoed by a guest on the show and created a firestorm of controversy in the LGBTQ community. She has since apologized for comments and that 2014 show has been removed from the program’s website. In 2015, Williams chimed in on the transition of Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner to a woman now known as Caitlyn Jenner. Cosmopolitan magazine featured an issue of the Kardashian women and included Caitlyn Jenner in the photo spread, which caused Williams to comment on her show “It features all the Kardashian women. No, not Caitlyn. Caitlyn still has a member, so that is not a—”
Her statements have remained in the minds of a few contestants and members of the LGBTQ community on Twitter. Here are just a few of the comments:
SASHAY AWAY @WendyWilliams
We don’t need ur hate & ur fake a– ??
— APRILcarrion (@ApriLcarrion) March 28, 2017
When they cut #WendyWilliams off #dragrace pic.twitter.com/l1zja3fzAw
— ♎️???♎️ Whitney (@Whit_RG3) March 25, 2017
Im shocked that VH1 has Wendy Williams hosting the Drag Race preshow. I CANT STAND HER honestly. Im sorry but she is not an LGBTQ ally ?️?
— Manny MUA (@MannyMua733) March 29, 2017
