RuPaul: “Because we can’t say the T-word, I’m saying ‘granny’ instead”
Image: A local version of RuPaul's Drag Race is coming to Australian screens. Image: file photo.
DRAG artist RuPaul has spoken out during her online podcast What’s the Tee? about being banned for using “the T-word”.
In May, her TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race was met with criticism for a segment where contestants were asked to guess from a photo whether someone was a “biological” or “psychological” woman, using the T-word.
At the time, RuPaul said: “They’ve used their victimhood to create a situation… Don’t you dare tell me what I can do or say. It’s just words. You know what? Bitch, you need to get stronger.”
In her recent podcast, while talking about how she used to frequent Peanuts/Club 7969 in LA’s West Hollywood, RuPaul jokingly used the word “granny” as a replacement for what many deem to be an offensive word. Her podcast co-host, Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, and guest Chi Chi LaRue laughed in response.
“They had granny strippers… because we are being politically correct they had granny strippers,” RuPaul said.
Chi Chi laRue then chimed in: “Oh my God I love it… was it actually old women?”
RuPaul responded: “No, I’ve just decided… because we can’t say the T-word… we just replace ‘T’ with ‘G’.”
Many venues across the US have rebranded their businesses, such as the iconic San Francisco bar Trannyshack, which changed its name to T-Shack in May.
Sydney drag queen Penny Tration still brands her bingo event Facebook page and website with the Tranny Bingo name, despite an unsuccessful petition on Change.org in April calling organisers to stop using the term “tranny” and instead use “non-hateful and/or derogative language/words to describe their events that don’t directly impact the trans* community”.
The debate made its way to the now-canceled national channel 10 morning show, Wake Up:
You can download the RuPaul podcast via iTunes. The “granny” section starts around the 15.50 mark.
Oh FFS, get over it! It was and still is meant to be an abbreviation, and anyone who feels insulted is far too precious!
We’re all queer but we are not all trans. Let’s stop speaking for each other.
What’s offensive is RuPaul thinking he has the right to dictate what’s offensive to a community he is not part of (drag queens are NOT transsexuals) just because he’s an entertainer. Thanks for breaking down all those stereotypes, you pioneer. Pffft.
Im a Tranny and and have never been offended by the word at all Growing up in the Sydney gay scene tranny was never a derogatory word. I wish people would stop being so precious about it.
I’m sooooo over friggin political correctness. TRANNIE TRANNIE!!
Tranny or BUST!
In fighting within our own community. That will get us respect and support from the wider population. Said no one ever.
Yeay
This reminds me of when Dan Savage started saying “leotarded” instead of retarded.
I am also confused about the letter for the community too, I recently got pulled up as I didn’t get it right! I used GLBT – was is it now? A serious question really!
is it not ok to use this…bare in mind I am the saddest excuse for a gay bloke!