Standing Up to Anti-Gay Pride Protestors: Mama vs. Mimi

7/6/2014

Unless your computer was abducted by aliens, you probably noticed legendary Seattle queen, Mama Tits, taking over the internet this past week. She stood up to anti-gay protesters during Seattle's Pride parade, and has been applauded for her efforts via: HuffPost, E!Online, Towleroad, NewNowNext, to name a few.

But, you may recall that last year Philadelphia drag queen and RuPaul's Drag Race alum, Mimi Imfurst, behaved in nearly the exact same manner at Philadelphia Pride. The response to Mim's actions was far from positive. Rather, Mimi was threatened and harassed by police. Her actions were criticized by fans and online commenters alike.

Why, then, has Mama Tits been praised for her actions, becoming an overnight internet sensation, while Mimi Imfurst was considered a pariah? Perhaps it is that we've become programmed to remember Mimi's undesirable reality TV persona. Was it her RuPaul's Drag Race editing making fans believe Mimi was just up to her old tricks? In defense of Mimi, her actions standing up to anti-gay protestors was no different than Mama Tits, the new queen of the internet.

Mimi had this to say on the matter:

I am a firm believer in standing up for what you believe in and fighting for it. They (the protestors) have a right to be there, but we also have a right to stand up against them.

Mimi believes that the RuPaul's Drag Race editing is still (years later) affecting the way fans perceive her.

If you haven't seen Mama Tits' rant, here is the video:

What do you think?

12 Comments

Mock Turtle

7/7/2014 04:24:18 am

I guess I was abducted by aliens. That'd explain this probe in my ass, actually.

Mimi doesn't deserve the hate she gets. I actually came to respect her a lot more after she stood up against the anti-gay idiots last year.

Nick Dag

7/7/2014 08:30:59 am

ummmmm maybe it's because Mama Tits gave an actual speech and was insightful and inspiring, rather than just grabbing a flag and posing for a picture. Mimi is an attention whore who did that more for the sake of doing it than actually making a point. Mama's gesture had impact while Mimi's was empty and superficial. Also: the editing on Rupaul's drag race actually did Mimi a favor. She is way dumber in real life.

James Bellebono

7/7/2014 09:12:31 am

Did she kill your dog or you're just naturally really mean?
Plus, if you were trying to block a hatred inciter and the police threatened to arrest you, do you think anyone, especially someone who doesn't know you but saw you in tv for about 60 minutes, would have the right to say "you deserve it and you're a superficial attention whore"?

Not cool bro, not cool.

nick

7/7/2014 10:07:50 am

I was just responding to the writers question on why mimi's actions were less lauded than mama's, my main point being that mama's was far more significant. My bitterness was uncalled for, you're right, but I happen to have an excess of fist and second hand REAL LIFE experiences of Mimi's shiftiness. What I said was a lot less mean than what she's used to. Sorry tho.

7/7/2014 10:10:38 am

Shitiness*** although shifty is appropraite too.

alyr

7/8/2014 02:04:19 am

You're hateful. Mimi is NOT "way dumber in real life" she is a smart, educated and successful FIERCE queen and in fact, was much more successful before Drag Race even began. Fool. And the way I remember it, Mimi actually got an apology in Philly for the organizers not supporting her.

7/8/2014 02:05:25 am

EDIT: * more successful and well known than Mama Tits.

Max

7/7/2014 03:37:19 pm

Don't mess with Mama Tits! And the point of standing up to these folks in the moment is not to change their minds (that's their own lives, battles, issues), but to show that we don't have to absorb their crap. And that's powerful and important. Now look in your own life and figure out if you've absorbed any of that crap and deal with it. It may not take the obvious form of a pride parade counterprotestor babbling lies in the name of religion. Rather, it may be harder to see. Being introspective and calling these things out in yourself (do you love yourself for real?) is a way to bring that Mama Tits energy into your everyday. P.S Mama Tits for RPDR 7!

7/8/2014 12:32:53 am

I don't think Mimi deserved the hate for such a comparable action, though that does not mean that I don't understand it. I have seen Mimi live twice and she's always been most unkind with fans. She had a "holier than thou" attitude and a BOTS meet and greet while other queens like Alaska, Manila, Sharon, Phi Phi, Ivy, and Carmen were being super nice to everyone, getting drinks, and taking photos. On another occasion, she was hanging out by the bar and was rude to fans who came up to her and asked for a photo. I distinctly remember one fan asking her "do you have a drink? I'd love to get you one if you don't" to which she responded "I do. You can go now." So there's that. Perhaps in this occasion she didn't deserve the hate, but she does make a reputation for herself that drags along WAY past what happened during season 3 and All Stars.

Heather

7/8/2014 12:50:34 am

Mimi is human. We all make mistakes and have our moments. The one time I had to pleasure of seeing her live in Jersey here she was a gracious host. I was there with some friends and see her show along with her main headline being Sharon Needles. I had bought tickets to meet and greet with Sharon and if anyone was rude to her guests, it was Sharon. Don't get me wrong, I still love her. But what happened that night, sucked. Mimi was the one apologizing and helping us still try to meet Sharon even after 2am when the bar HAD to close. We all waited out back in the rain for at least another hour. Mimi made sure we got our chance to meet Sharon because we paid that extra to be able to. Sharon eventually showed up seriously drunk and probably high. Mimi also said to get in touch with her about the affair and she would help us out on pay next time we visited. As for this incident? Things have also changed in the last year. People are more accepting now than they were a year ago. There was certainly still more hate from the masses at Prides last year. More and more people have opened up over the last year so it is no surprise that Mama has had a more open welcoming to the masses. If you were in the position to be threatened by the police, I don't blame Mimi for taking a stand but a subtle one. But to each their own honestly. It takes guts to stand up to anyone, no matter who you are.

one race

7/8/2014 06:30:59 am

Actually all Mimi violated they're 1st amendment rights after she was already asked by Pride organizers and police to to not intervene... That's an attention whore!

Tom

8/12/2014 09:27:05 pm

Both of them deserve praise for standing up to bigotry at a place that should be a safe space. Whatever else Mimi has done in the past, doesn't mean she doesn't deserve praise for this particular action.

Standing Up to Anti-Gay Pride Protestors: Mama vs. Mimi

Leave a Reply.

Josh S.
@SchonewolfPHL

Standing Up to Anti-Gay Pride Protestors: Mama vs. Mimi

Leave a Reply.

Josh S.@SchonewolfPHL

Josh S.
@SchonewolfPHL