The RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Respond to 'She-Mail' Controversy

4/14/2014

Following the "Female or She-Male' controversy revolving around a mini challenge in episode 4 of this season of RuPaul's Drag Race, Logo made the executive decision to pull the episode. The network went even further, to announce that it will also be ending the use of the famous tagline "You've got She-Mail" from the show. This announcement has generated a lot of discussion on the topic on every social media platform, and even a petition to get 'She-Mail' to shantay. We wanted to recap what previous contestants thought about the issue so here are some of their responses:

Phi Phi O'Hara took to Tumblr for her response to the issue:

"In my opinion this is so ridiculous! What upsets me even more is the fact that some of the contestants that are complaining about it didn’t have a problem being on the show or getting their fame and success knowing this was part of show. Never was this intended to offend anyone or upset anyone. I love the transgender community soooooo much but I have to say “SheMail” had nothing to do with you until some of the transgender community made it about themselves. I understand how as a community some feel this brings the community and the view of gender identity harder to accept but in all reality you are what you answer to. If you feel the word does not represent who you are then it shouldn’t bother you to begin with.

The show has created such a place for the LGBT community in this world. It has made it ok for us to be who we are and has shown the world we are not freaks and we deserve love just like anyone else in this world. The show has not only had transgender guests but many prior contestants that are transgender and have done nothing but given them love, support, respect and catapulted their career plus given them a voice that may otherwise have been silent or not as loud had it not been for a show that gave them support. This subject saddens me because it is our community that has decided this word describes who we are and considers it a negative.

I support the transgender community and have so many close friends that I love dearly. I want a world that accepts everyone for who they are and who they are meant to be."

Season 2's very own Miss Congeniality, Pandora Boxx, posted the following response on her Facebook page, along with a link to an article by trans icon and activist (and a past guest on RuPaul's Drag Race) Our Lady J:

"RuPaul's Drag Race is the first EVER show to feature an entire cast of drag queens. It has made us question gender rules dictated to us by our society. To me that is part of what drag is all about, breaking down those gender rules. When transgender contestants have opened up about who they are they were greeted with open arms. Yet, somehow this show is the enemy we should be fighting for to gain equality.

I do want to say, I love and respect all of my transgender friends and community. I always have and always will.

I was never offended nor were any of the contestants (who were fighting for screen time to get their face on TV) by the phrase "You've Got She-mail." We all just saw it as a take off of America's Next Top Model and then we all pretend to be "shes" for a living. This phrase has also been on the show for 5.5 seasons.

I certainly never want to see someone belittled and legitimately hurt by anything. In my opinion this was not hate speech. To me this just isn't the battle that needed to be fought. This has the potential to open flood gates we may not want open. Trust me the list of offensive words is growing exponentially. I just don't see this as a victory for transgender rights. We all already believed you should have them.

I certainly understand that words can indeed cause pain. I've dealt with that all my life. But then I realized that I am giving these words power over me. I refuse to be defined by words and I refuse to let words bring me down."

Manila Luzon posted a more light hearted response on her Facebook page:

"Because I am offended by it, RuPaul's Drag Race will ALSO edit out the last episode of season 3 where Raja Gemini kicks my ass and wins the crown!

And because EVERYONE was offended, the entire season of RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race will be edited off the face of the earth."

Season 4 winner, Sharon Needles, took a similarly sassy approach to addressing the issue:

I think [any man] who wears huge wigs, exaggerated make up, skimpy outfits, giant lashes, and impossible shoes to impersonate (slander) a woman is a complete misogynist!! They should all be edited out of all and past episodes of Rupaul's Drag Race.

On Twitter, openly transgendered Season 2 contestant Sonique made her stance crystal clear:

@RuPaul I was never offended by your show. Not everybody has the same sense of humor. I openly think #yougotshemail is brilliant. Xoxoxoxo

Shannel, one of the original Season 1 contestants as well as one of the final four from RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race, threw in her opinion on the issue, as well:

"Dumb dumb and even more fucking dumb!!!! If you were ever offended by the use of " she mail" on drag race then to be honest you probably shouldn't have been watching the show in the first place. Fuck stop taking shit so seriously and get over it. Whomever wants to argue the point don't even bother messaging me because I could care less!!!!"

Even Mathu Andersen - make-up artist extraordinaire and long time friend of RuPaul - expressed his disappointment with the decision via Facebook:

"Apparently the punny and perky term " You've got shemail" has been stricken from use on RuPaul's Drag Race.....VICTORY!........albeit a hollow one. A victory, because apparently you can petition and harangue and shame using the awesome power of social media to extract an apology.....hollow, in that it is hard to exact the requisite level of authentic remorse from such methods........nevermind, surely the result must take precedence over the method........Kudos kids.

"we outta have one of these every year"- Chastity Pariah"

Unfortunately, outspoken transgender activist and former Drag Race season 3 contestant Carmen Carrera seems to be receiving some of the blow from this controversy due to her recent stance on the issue. Here is what she had this to say on Facebook:

So once again people are mad at something that doesn't concern them. I'm making a post about this to get a couple of things straight. First of all I'm not the one to accept slurs from anyone. I've always been that way. In high school I watched gay kids get beat up and bullied and you know what, I remained quiet. Why? Because I was afraid to be treated the same way. Some words do hurt other people.  I hadn't initially commented on the "Female or Shemale" game on Drag Race when many people initially came forward and complained about it. I sat and thought about it for a whole week. I decided to make a comment on how I believed drag race was a platform for drag artists to showcase their creativity and how the show brought a lot of acceptance to drag queens mainstream. I also said that drag race should be more conscious of the words they use and shouldn't further objectify transwomen with a game that obviously hurt a lot of the shows fans in the first place.  Drag race has now, weeks after they already made a comment about it and after I said my peace, that they are removing that word from the show. Great. Right?  Well now I'm dealing with a bunch of people who think it's ok to personally attack me on social media for standing up for those who were offended and hurt by the words on the show. That ain't even cool boo.  I can only do so much and honestly I rather be a real person than a fake bitch who will sit and allow others to use ignorance and hatred towards me or other trans people as if it's ok.  This isn't high school. We need to grow up a little. It's real life. I think people should educate themselves on respect and maybe, just maybe will the world begin to change for the better.  I also think that using Ru-Mail or Fe-Mail may be a better substitute... Either way, you still get your favorite show and Rupaul still gets paid ‪#‎amenforthat ‪#‎peacebewithyou

So, what do you think? Did Logo make the right decision, or did they go too far?

46 Comments

Tom

4/15/2014 12:33:21 am

I agree with Mathu that it was a punny and perky term that was used to poke fun at the derogatory use of the word and at the bigots who insist on using it. It was about taking back the insults and not letting them hurt you, not letting yourself become the victim. Drag Race has always been a fun, camp and silly show that has helped many transgender contestants. It's obviously not serious, so people need to stop taking it so seriously.

I'm not in any way trying to say that Carmen doesn't have a right to feel offended, but as a former contestant on the show she of all people should know how Ru and Drag Race use these words - in an ironic and empowering way, not offensive in the least. She should also maybe have a little more respect or sympathy towards the show that made it possible for her opinion to have such an impact on these 'issues'.

Kevin

3/27/2015 06:33:51 pm

I find the issue ridiculous. I loved hearing "you've got she-mail" at the beginning of each show. It's so clearly obvious that it was never meant to be offensive an RuPaul ALWAYS showed love and support for any of the contestants that expressed the issues that bothered them from being transgendered, HIV-Positive to being left at a bus stop (Roxxy Andrews) by their mother. ru also expressed support when Phi Phi told him about the abuse from his father. RuPaul is an amazing individual whom has done an awesome and compassionate job of brining awareness to the world. I would never feel that Ru was ridiculing a gender or anything else. There are issues around equality that need serious addressing. I don't even like that the LGBT community has used the term LGBT community to identify themselves. It shows separation. It should be just equality for the human race, period! If anything, I feel that this ridiculous offense to the phrase "she mail" has done nothing but set us back. There was a time when a show like RuPaul's would never have seen the light of day on TV and it wasn't that long ago. I think it's a shame that that segment of the show won't be using that phrase and I find the reasons they can't are childish and immature. We are extremely lucky to have someone like RuPaul and I find him to be one of the forerunners for equality!!!

Thiago R. link

4/15/2014 02:48:22 am

It's nice of RuPaul or Logo to listen to the complaints and do something about it. And I do respect the right of everyone to feel offended by something.
But people should take a moment and THINK about the cons of this action. Would you rather use the word on a daily basis as a joke and by that removing its quite ancient belittle concept and open those small minds? Or would you prefer to give the word enough power to offend and create another weapon for those who fight the LGBT community?

Word is power. If you allow.t

Matthew

4/15/2014 02:53:16 am

What's with the "Rupaul still gets paid" comment from Carmen at the end there? Seems like there may be some issues hmmmm?

3/27/2015 06:39:48 pm

I just find this to be another example that shows Carmen's ignorance and is another great example of his (her) lack of education.

Kira

5/11/2017 11:17:22 am

I find your misgendering of Carmen Carrera to be a great example of YOUR ignorance/lack of education. You can disagree with someone's opinion, but you can't disagree with someone's identity and not be a bigot. Use her preferred pronouns.

David N

4/15/2014 03:21:22 am

I think Carmen is great, but I think she has begun to make a career out of being the "mistreated transwoman." From the CNN piece, the Katie Curic interview and now these comments.

Bears mom

4/18/2014 04:43:53 am

Carmen also made "tranny" comments on her season, if anyone remembers.

Jackson

4/27/2014 10:42:28 am

EVERY transwoman is a "mistreated transwoman"
She's "being" what people like you make her...

Kafro

9/26/2015 04:38:11 am

Jackson that's the most accurate comment I've seen down here.

David N she is not making a career out of this incident. According to her post she stood up for the trans women who reacted to the game. She did what should be done, cause when you're famous and rich you can easily forget what others go through.

Ronald

4/15/2014 03:24:35 am

I think she-mail or whatever the shows does is all for fun we people don't need humour seriously I'm like really if you can't take humour maybe you should kept yourself cave or cocoon. It not the show giving derogative words or absurd words to trans community I have respect on trans community but some of them need to get reality slap chevk it's for fun if you can take don't watch it

Gary

4/30/2016 01:37:39 pm

Huh?

Dominic

4/15/2014 03:51:00 am

I agree with everyone but Carmen, I love Carmen, but really? Don't sit there and pretend like you were offended by this when you know damn well you were never offended by the term "She-Mail" until now. It took 5 and a half seasons for anyone to be offended? Really? Get the fuck out of here. It was never offensive, it was comedic, and punny, so get it together and quit acting like a fucking victim. Funny how the show that made you a SOMEBODY, when you were a NOBODY is the first thing you attack to have a "win" (if you wanna call it that), for transgender rights?

MissCarmin

4/15/2014 06:54:53 am

Carmen had no issue with it on show, of course the show helped her out and it still does as she is on The Battle of the Seasons gigs, so she is quite happy to be linked with them once she's getting paid!
I totally agree with everything the rest have said - after 6 years why is it a problem now! Trans contestants have been welcomed as part of the RPDR family and will continue to be.
I do agree that the Female V Shemale section should be removed and rightly so but "You Got She-Mail" no!

colin

4/15/2014 06:59:10 am

The mini challenge: unacceptable

"You've got She-Mail!": tongue and cheek humor not coming from a place of hate

two totally different things being grouped together needlessly. once again, it's not the word (in this case, she-male) but how you use it. I wish some of these queens had made that distinction in their responses :/

Allen

4/15/2014 08:00:06 am

*** I guess Carmen will NEVER be invited to any kind of RuPaul reunion show...EVAH!!!

AreYouSerious

4/15/2014 08:34:18 am

When you give this amount of power to a word then you should just give up on life! life is so much harder than this and Drag Race has been a platform for the LGBT community. I find it extremely hypocritical on Carmen Carreras part to feel the victim of this senseless argument, she obviously didn't had a problem when she audition for the show yet now that she has fame (if you want to call it that) she is again, trying to catapult her way to the spot light.

Max

4/15/2014 01:53:29 pm

You know what words I can't say without getting crap for it and exposing myself to risk of violence, discrimination and rejection? I'm a transwoman. That's oppression which I'm fighting back from, but it's still oppression and it's affected me since I was a little girl who looked like a boy and was raised as a boy.

So many of you who are commenting on this have zero empathy for those affected by slurs. Not everyone can stand up for themselves. And not everyone thinks they have a right not to be stigmatized. You're myopically making this about freedom of expression when it's about asking a show to now rub salt in the wounds of transgender oppression.

Yes, people can say whatever they want. And, no I didn't personally call for Logo and WOW to stop using that phrase. I appreciate that they are stopping using it as that is in alignment with the vision of the show. But whether they use it or not, I still can't freely be myself without great risk to my safety.

And bashers have plenty of words to choose from besides the word in question. Ask yourself why the word would upset people. And listen to the answer. Recognize that the T in LGBT has gotten little respect and visibility to this point. Let this be a jumping off point for further awareness.

In some ways, I'm sheltered from transphobia because I hide. But it's eating me up. And I won't be so naive as to think that just because someone is a fan of drag race or gay or even another trans person, that I will automatically be in a warm, safe environment. What can you do to support the transgender community and transgender individuals?

Fine, you have a strong opinion about a phrase on this reality show. Okay, there you go. Fine. That show is on maybe 20 hours a year. Do you think about transgender issues and people the rest of the time? Are you supportive? If your friend came out to you as transgender, would you still be that person's friend? That's more important to me than what happens on a money making talent competition.

What is upsetting me more than the word itself are those who don't seem to care about the people it hurts. Whether it's that slur or another, if a transperson is being assaulted on the street, reclaiming that word won't stop the blows. So yeah, it's about more than words. It's about some transgender people and allies reaching out and hoping for empathy and open minds and finding the door slammed in their faces by their so-called gay (and etc.) brethren.

Morgan McMichaels ws so supportive of Sonique when Sonique came out as transgender in the Season 2 reunion special. Be more Morgan McMichaels and less Mike Huckabee on this one, please. But if you don't, I'll still stand up for myself at every opportunity and hold friends and enemies accountable. And most of all, I'll hold myself accountable to be myself, and hopefully be as visible as I deep down need to be. Silence is a cloak. It smothers. Silence is a dagger. It cuts both ways.

I will not be silent.

Bears Mom

4/18/2014 04:42:24 am

A slur is something recognizable because it is never used any other way. Drag queens, cross dressers, and transexuals were all lumped together for a long time so "she-mail" doesn't feel like its poking fun at transgenders specifically. It feels like a reference to drag queens.

Peter

5/1/2014 05:48:59 am

The difference is drag queens can take off the costume, whereas for transgendered individuals it isn't a costume. It's important to make this distinction.

And even though you think the word isn't offensive, and is just a 'reference' you can't tell those who are offended by it's usage not to be offended because of your own views.

I'm disgusted that LGB persons who know the power of words are attacking transgender people who were sick of hearing this historically oppressive word. It doesn't matter if it is just a 'joke'. How many times have we heard, "oh that's gay, what do you mean it's offensive?? It's just a joke!" It's the same thing. You can't erase the context of a word, nobody is giving words power, they are endowed with power by the hegemonic forces of society.

diabla

8/6/2014 04:03:50 am

As a proud mixed race woman with mixed race children, as a proud Liberal, I will not be silent when someone - conservative OR liberal - tries to invoke "thoughtcrime". Go look up your Orwell dear.

I adore that you want empathy for slurs and throw your epithets at an audience you don't know. Are you the only person who's suffered the slings and arrows of discrimination? Is there only one paradigm to handle it?

You will stand up for thoughtcrime & crimethink and I will stand next to you and note it. I won't be silent when I think YOU lack empathy, imagination, humour, and would make us all lock step to your thought (we don't like it when the conservatives do that...why are YOU any different?? That's not logical.)

DullGlitter1

4/15/2014 02:50:35 pm

Does ANYONE really think that Ru intended that phrase to be hurtful or disrespectful in anyway????
i mean, come on...seriously people GET IT TOGETHER!

4/15/2014 08:57:57 pm

See rupaul intend do you think he gonna put Monica Carmen carrera and sonique I don't think so rupaul has been supportive lgbt group it's freaking for goodness sake I don't why people highly sensitive mini challenge if they get rid she mail might as well get rid scruff crew and snatch game they offending men and celebrities better yet get rid of the show. It makes me mad people had no sense humour people think oh they using word shemale making fun of them I'm like they are just the word please need sense humour and laugh about it my family say gay things about I'd just laugh about it

Chance

4/15/2014 10:08:09 pm

For Carmen to be so upset over the word She-mail, she sure didn't mind using it in a humorous way last night on her page, 3 times to be exact. She has now deleted those status updates. I can smell the hypocrisy in the air!!!! And it stanks!!!!

Micah

4/16/2014 02:14:20 am

There has been a lot of flap lately surrounding, of all things, words. Words such as Tranny, Fag, and a plethora of other ‘derogatory’ terms. I want to start my rant off by saying that I do NOT condone the use of these words in order to hurt people. I do NOT condone anyone using ANY means of hate speech or anything that is intentionally done to hurt others. That being said I am going to speak my piece and, like it or not, I stand behind my opinion.
First, and foremost, if you are so insecure with yourself that you let a simple word have enough power to hurt you I think you ought to be in therapy. Seriously, words are going to be around whether you like them or not. You are going to hear them no matter what you do, who you are, or where you go. So instead of spending your time and energy being hurt by them you need to work on taking that power back and making yourself stronger.
The primary reason for my rant is that a vast number of the LGBT community has begun slandering RuPaul’s use of the phrase “You Got She-Mail” because it was deemed offensive to some transgendered peoples. Seriously? Are you fucking kidding me with this right now? RuPaul has been one of the primary figures in bringing the Drag community front and center into the mainstream. She has fought through discrimination and hate to get where she is, and she has helped others fight to get where they are. And now we are going to attack her because she uses WORDS that may or may not be offensive. If you are in a place where a phrase like “You Got She-Mail” has that much power over your life you should reassess your life, not attack others for it.
Take a word like “FAG.” It has been used to describe LGBT peoples for how many years now. No matter how much of a fuss we have made it has NEVER gone away, nor will it ever go away. Our job as an LGBT community is NOT to condemn those who use the term, but instead to take back the power that this word has been given. For example: The term Fag is British slang for a cigarette. There for anytime someone yells Fag at you all they are doing is saying they want to light one end of you up, and suck on the other end. Which if you are a flamer like I am all they are doing is telling you they want to suck on some part of you…so explain to me how I am supposed to be offended by some hot redneck hitting on me?
All you people get your twats in such a twist because you let something as minuscule as a word have so much power over your everyday lives. If you are a tranny that’s fantastic, good for you for being true to yourself. But it is not being true to yourself to let something as weightless as a word have so much control over you. Instead of being offended when you hear the word Tranny educate yourself on the history of Trannies. Like all the Trannies that turned it out at Stonewall, or the Trannies who fought so that you could get married on a huge majority of states. Then when you hear someone use the term Tranny you can be proud to be included in the group of strong women who fought and paved a road for others. Why does it always have to be such a negative thing?
This whole issue is bullshit as far as I am concerned. And it’s one of the reasons that I loathe the LGBT community. It’s not a community anymore, its casts of people attacking each other because we have different views. Its cliques within our community making us no better than members of Westboro Baptist Church. It’s the hypocritical bullshit being hyped upon the rest of the LGBT community by those who would have us be nothing more than the stereotypes. The LGBT community should be ashamed of itself for what it has let itself become since the days of Stonewall. It should be ashamed of the image it is showing our youth, is this the legacy that we want the children to inherit? Is this the legacy that we want our grandchildren to remember us for?

4/16/2014 01:37:45 pm

You don't get to decide what is an offensive, hurtful term to others. You can listen to others describe how they feel and decide if you respect and have empathy for their feelings or not. And if you don't respect their POV, that says a lot about you. You get to decide what offends or doesn't offend you, period.

If a group of people are clearly stating they are offended by something, it's your choice whether to still do/say that thing. And they can react how they choose, by curling up in a ball upset, by brushing it off, by speaking up for those who are too scared to speak up, by speaking up for themselves, or whatever combination they choose. You don't get to decide how other people should feel. You get to be yourself. And so do I.

Alex

4/16/2014 03:05:11 am

Back when I was introducing my straight friends to the show, one of their favorite lines to repeat was "You've got She-Mail", because it's punny and catchy. It didn't make them hate mongering, trans-phobic idiots, it was just something funny that we could all share in the enjoyment of.
It really sucks that new generations of viewers will never get to enjoy it the way my friends and I did.
#bringitback

John

4/16/2014 06:44:42 am

For some reason, I always thought it was a play on email... despite it being a video message. <shamed>

It's a bit odd to take action against Drag Race when I think it's changed a lot of people's opinions about drag queens and why they do what they do. For such a piece of fluff, it transmits a powerful and positive message.

Mock Turtle

4/16/2014 11:16:32 am

For me, the problem comes down to this: the mini-challenge was definitely in poor taste, and given that nothing terribly important resulted from it in terms of the competition (other than a jab at Michelle), editing that out for the future is fine. The issue is that the people who were saying that it was so offensive didn't say jack shit about "You've Got She-Mail" over the course of five-and-a-half years, and all of sudden it's the worst thing ever. If it really was the worst thing ever, why didn't you say something in 2009? Why wait until now? The only aspect in which I'm offended has nothing to do about the phrase itself, but rather the timing.

That said, everyone running around like chickens with their heads cut off over its removal is acting just as silly. Acting as though the removal of one phrase, which takes up maybe four seconds of an hour-long show (1.5 hours counting Untucked), is going to completely ruin the show is just absurd. It's one pun that Ru will have to replace -- and if she wants to keep the relation to e-mail, I think Carmen's suggestion of "Fe-Mail" is surprisingly well thought out. (Incidentally, anyone being mad at Carmen is ridiculous; at least her thoughts are articulate and thoughtful, unlike Shannel for example, who's just being flippant.) Drag Race is still going to feature all the craziness, drama, eleganza and incredible talent we've seen for years, nothing about that has changed.

Also, just as an aside, Drag Race has seen change in the past, and the world didn't stop. When Merle Ginsburg left, we ended up with the indispensable Michelle Visage, so things might turn out similarly well.

4/16/2014 01:45:47 pm

Those who are offended are speaking up louder. Some people were offended by other aspects of the show, and some of RuPaul's statements, prior to this latest controversy. It's getting more attention now and seems to be a forum in which to discuss transgender issues in general, and hopefully, as part of that, listen to more transgender voices such as my own. I'm certainly listening and learning, and only recently have been speaking up, as a G and a T.

On the whole, I wish there were also a drag reality show (like the new one coming out in the UK) which was not competition-based, but rather more like a documentary. It wouldn't even have a host. Now essentially YouTube has things like that (like Drag Becomes Him), but I want longer form documentary. "Beautiful Darling" (doc about transgender actress Candy Darling (of Warhol's Factory) is on Netlix now and is quite good. I hope the dialogue on trans issues continues past this controversy.

Jay Midas

4/19/2014 04:51:28 pm

Drag becomes Him is getting a feature length film!

Bear's Mom

4/18/2014 04:35:56 am

And Fe-Mail could be construed as making fun of women if we're going down this path.

We need to get over this stuff with a quickness.

5/1/2014 05:52:41 am

Not really because the word female has never been a slur, have you ever heard of cis women being offended by someone calling them a female?

If they called it, "bitch-mail" then yeah your point would make sense, otherwise, sit down gurl.

Tai

4/16/2014 03:46:22 pm

A word is a word. Honestly any word can be offensive: "You look like an orangutan." "You smell like shit." "You're fat"

Those are offensive phrases but there is a word that triggers our minds to make them so: orangutan, shit, fat.

So are we gonna stand up for animal rights because we made orangutan a derogatory word?

Are we gonna ban curse words because it makes us uncivilized?

Are we stand up for obesity because being fat is okay?

NO.

So why start?

People are gonna say things about you all day, does that define who you are? Or do self being define yourself?
We all have some sort of sense of humor, will our humor match up with others...? Of course not, not 100% of the time.
So to make something like this an "issue" is not entirely fair to the makeup of society. We are people. We live. We die. Don't stress over a word. Worry about how you can be a better person than you were the day before.

Transgender rights...? Oh honey. If you think this stuff is a set back to gaining equality, that is ignorance. To make a group of society seem equal to the rest takes years. And to point fingers at the same people who supports you in all aspects of your lifestyle is wrong. If you want equality, steer your attention to people who INTENTIONALLY hinder you.

Robin

4/17/2014 03:38:00 am

the phrase "she-mail" has been taken out of context. the term was not used with malicious intent and was not directed at anyone in particular. it was a lighthearted pun and if anyone did take offense, i can understand, but the intent was not to hurt. it was coming straight from the lips of rupaul not a swastika wearing shaved head homophobic nazi.

Clay

4/17/2014 10:33:17 am

Don't go messing with a Drag Race fans show unless you want them to stop by the library. #rupaulismyoprah

4/18/2014 03:45:50 am

I'm a female and I could choose to get angry at drag queens over their pretending to be females--especially the ones that do it poorly.

I don't because I have a sense of humor and because life is short.

Transwomen should realize where their allies are and cling to them, because honestly biological women in general aren't that. When alone, most biological women have issues with transwomen--mostly bitterness that they get out of having to have a period. People like Ru, on the other hand find a loving place for them, and they turn on him like this?

I think we all have embraced a culture of being offended and we need to let it go. Life is short. Very short.

4/19/2014 04:49:46 pm

Sorry for the long comment, saw this post yesterday so it's been a whole day of rumination:

I'll mention off the bat that I'm not trans*

My 2 cents is that this situation was a missed opportunity; with both sides to the argument getting overly defensive, we missed a chance to have meaningful discussion about what slurs are, what they do, and whether or not they should be censored. (I personally do not know whether or not they should, but I avoid using certain words as friends have asked me to do so.)

I also think that people criticizing the show on these aspects are being slightly misunderstood - I don't think anyone actually felt that RuPaul is some demon as some people as insinuating. Actually, I think certain people spoke up because they believe that RuPaul is a true ally - as can be seen in his work both on the show with his trans* contestants and otherwise - and they think that RuPaul is willing to listen. The show isn't some anti-trans* propaganda and we all know it, but it doesn't mean it's perfect either. It's only with input from the trans* community can we improve as a society in understanding what needs to be done to increase acceptance for ALL GSM (gender + sexual minority) groups, and media is a good place to start.

I think that the 'you're got she-mail' fell under the radar for so long was because it was a small, witty, quip, but with the mini challenge, it also went under scrutiny because there was an opportunity to do so. Is this a bad thing? I dunno. I don't think so. Just because something went unexamined for so long, does it mean it should never be examined? On a similar vein though, does it mean that is HAS to go? No, neither. It should be examined, and it should be discussed with various groups, and if needs be a formal statement issued on why it has been kept/removed.

I'm not trying to take sides, I just hope the side loose off some steam and have some meaningful discussion about the issue, as opposed to just defensive non-discussion.

4/20/2014 01:49:27 am

Does anyone feel we will live in a perfect world? Women are still called "cunts" "bitches" and degraded the world over. Homophobia is even an extension of misogyny because its not the so-called straight acting gays that men don't like, it's the ones they feel are feminine.

As a female I see people like gay spokesperson Lt Dan Choi call people pussies and talking about them bleeding once a month, so even gays can be misogynistic.

I bring this up only to say "so what?"

I am just tired of living life worrying about the opinions of other people, especially stupid people. All this clamor and fuss means that we are actually giving shitty people more attention than they deserve and more credit with insults than compliments from good people.

Ru used to believe this with his: other peoples opinion of me are none of my business. I heard that, adopted it, and got my kids to do so, too.

Instead of freaking out and trying to shut down "words" we should toughen up, grow a funny bone, and make ourselves impervious to slings and arrows, because we're not right now when we gives shits about words like "shemale" and "cunt".

BeatItQueen

5/4/2014 06:17:36 am

Carmen is an ungrateful c*nt

Eric Garner link

5/29/2014 09:46:46 pm

..."So once again people are mad at something that doesn't concern them."...

Censorship affects EVERYone sister! Imagine if you weren't allowed to dress the way you do because of allll the people it offends....different story, huh? Allow people to comment freely or get off the fucking stage.

Luis

6/17/2014 06:12:40 am

This is the same Carmen who was part of a clique called the Heathers who called others Boogers. so who is she to say what is right and wrong to call anyone. She is a liar who says she doesnt partake in that but she did on the same show she now is railing against which is the only reason her phone rings.

Kat

7/23/2014 04:18:59 am

I noticed the controversy lined up perfectly with Carmen promoting a new tv show. How she is mentoring transgender women. Really Carmen?! She made a comment regarding Ru and her paychecks. Ru may not sign your paycheck.....but he is the reason you have the visibility that enables you to obtain the opportunities to get those paychecks. No one knew who she was. Honestly I've always seen Carmen as an asshole for the way she treated others....and it doesn't matter what gender you are to be an asshole.

Mona Strosity

3/20/2015 02:06:56 pm

I have read all of the comments on this board. I do not think that the use of any word that intention is hurt another is a good thing. I also wonder that a site that id about Drag Queens seems to have so many commenters that have never been in a room full of Drag Queens.

The Queens Drag-lish is a mine field of Political In-correctness. Drag humor could be quickly misunderstood and some of the Camp References in our humor.
First off lets get to the big Controversy. There is a part of me that thinks that Carmen Carrera as a notable transgender has chosen this cause celeb issue, is just attempting to profit off this issue... I feel this because she has used the word "Tranny" in the Queens Draglish on multiple occasions. Ok so here is a Drag Queens English.

Tranny: does not refer to Transexual. The root of the word is actually when Drag Queens were called Transvestites or Cross Dressers. Drag Queens are performers, it is not a kink or about gender change... some do it for fun. When a Drag Queen did not paint to perfection or perform right... "Girl what are you a Transvestite? You sure aren't looking like a DQ." Transvestite got shortened to Tranny and Tranny means tacky drag when done as an quip, The only Transgenders I know that have been called Tranny by a drag queen is the ones that perform as a drag queen and it is all part of the camp.

SheMale: refers to a type of porn that has been popular since the 70's. My first exposure to She-Males was actually from Hustler magazine... They also had naked guys and was the safest porn to look with straight friends... you know just in case.... uhhhmm. It became part of the camp culture that is drag. As Drag Queens we have weird senses of humor... like I said before It's a mine field of Political in-Correctness.

Lady Boy: Has it's root in Thai culture, the word in Thai is khatooey. Referring to a young male that has features that would make him passable as a female. The Lady Boys often do porn and prostitution. What is translates to in drag is simple. A Lady Boy is an easily Passible Queen that does not require crap load of make-up wigs, pad etc.... she's fishy.

Now there are tons of other Drag Phrases that will have the villagers at the club doors holding torches.... tons. It is just a part of Drag Culture that has evolved as being part of a marginalized community. To tell the truth I have never really hard any of those being said outside of the Drag Community. I do not recall Tranny being used as a derogatory term about and to Transgenders. What I can tell you is that Drag Community has embraced our Transgender brothers and sisters completely. I also think that Carmen Carrera is more than aware of these things and is using it to bring attention to herself for profit. As I recall watching the show she was one of the meanest of the mean girls and often said derogatory terms about Shangela, Alexis Matteo, Yarra Sophia and Stacey Layne Matthews.

your ass

8/15/2015 04:17:51 am

oh manilla the shade the ultimate SHADE of it all

Human

11/8/2022 08:45:24 pm

I LOVE Kylie Sonique! Talented and with a great sense of humour.
Carmen Carrera didn't have any problem posing nude with a penis and silicone breasts for David LaShapelle, didn't have any problem bullying Shangela, Stacey Lane Matthews (also a trans woman), Yara Sofia and Alexis Mateo, didn't have any problem with the term she-mail while she was on Drag Race S3, but years later she got offended? If she is comfortable enough to pose in the nude while having sex characteristics of both male and female, why so serious then? Carmen Carrera is not even an inch of the woman Kylie Sonique Love is.

The RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Respond to 'She-Mail' Controversy

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Phil O. & Bee R.
@dragofficial1

The RuPaul's Drag Race Queens Respond to 'She-Mail' Controversy

Leave a Reply.

Phil O. & Bee R.@dragofficial1

Phil O. & Bee R.
@dragofficial1