At what point has a drag queen gone too far?
It’s a bit of a Pandora’s box — drag has the power to demolish boundaries and unmask social constructs, and sometimes that’s going to make people uncomfortable. And the idea of censoring drag queens starts to get into some prickly territory.
But even for Bianca Del Rio, whose brand is built on often-hilarious and crass burns, bad taste is bad taste.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race season 6 winner has been criticized for making rape jokes about her fellow Drag Race alum Blair St. Clair.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Appearing at Montreal Pride, Bianca shared her thoughts about season 10 of Drag Race, in which Blair emotionally revealed her experience of being raped.
She said:
“Seriously, I don’t even want to talk about season 10 because every fucking bitch cried every f*cking episode. Did you see that? Every episode!
It’s her fat ass going ‘Ugh I’m fat’ and then the other one… and then you’ve got that other bitch: ‘I was raped!’
No – f*ck you. You notice she wasn’t raped until she was in the bottom two? Think about that, bitch – that’s f*cking strategy.
Oh f*ck you rape is funny if you haven’t had it.
And if you weren’t raped, remember this – you’re ugly.”
The crowd fell mostly quiet during the remarks which you can watch here.
Montreal Pride distanced itself from Bianca’s set, posting to Facebook:
The Montréal Pride Festival would like to severely disassociate itself from certain remarks made during the Drag Superstars show on Thursday, August 16th, 2018.
The approach of certain sensitive themes, presented in the form of so-called jokes, in no way reflects the policies of our organization and we apologize to anyone who has experienced discomfort due to these events.
We will also take the necessary steps to ensure that such situations do not happen again.
Commenters on the statement have largely sprung to Bianca’s support, echoing some version of “that’s just her style of comedy, everybody knows that” or “she’s just saying what everyone else is thinking.”
But one person has weighed in who failed to see the humor — Blair, the subject of the rape jokes.
She posted to Twitter:
In the U.S. someone is sexually assaulted every 2 minutes, but people persist in thinking that making rape or sexual assault jokes is “comedy.” It is not. Rape jokes contribute to rape culture.
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Lacuevaman
where is queerty”s coverage of asia argento’s hypocrisy? and being a child molester?? huh???
Kangol
Post some links since this news clearly has you manically posting on multiple Queerty comment threads.
unreligious
Remind me again why a gay site needs to weigh in on a straight woman molesting a straight guy?
BlueRamirez
17 years old is not a child.
DCguy
What a shock! The anti-LGBT screename tries to deflect from a post about rape.
Luicia
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Bianca did not make fun or light of the rape story. Is Bianca’s comedy rude? Sure. Grow up.
Thad
I stand with Blair St.Clair on this. Abuse isn’t funny.
QueerTruth
Insult comic or not- there are limits.
This is offensive and not her story/joke to tell.
I’m tired of Bianca. Her material is as old as she is. I’ve seen her host three times and it was 90% the same material, years apart, different venues.
Frankie James
When did rude nasty Queens become the norm and popular?
I thought we loved them for their talents of impression, artistry with makeup, hair, and costumes. I thought we love their humor, and yes a little snarky attitude. I thought we loved them for standing up for our community, raising money, and representing…
Gross nasty ignorant comments are just that. Should you dare defend that then you are gross, nasty and ignorant…
Good thing old nasty queens come and go. Miss Rio’s sun is setting – pay attention young queens.
Jamie
To judge someone on a 1 minute, low-quality video clip out of a 3 hour event that she hosted alone is pretty ignorant in my book. She’s a comedian who pushes the limits. Of course some bits will work and some won’t. For each person she offends, I would bet there are at least a dozen who would thank her for getting them to lighten up and laugh instead of taking things so seriously. I’ve personally seen people thank her for reminding them that everyone has flaws and struggles, so they don’t feel different or less than other people even if it’s just for an hour. People who have thanked her for saving them from suicidal depression with her comedy. She’s also raised and personally donated tens of thousands of dollars for various causes including Play-A-Role Foundation, Trinity LGBT Youth Shelter, Project Angel Food, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, and personal causes like people who couldn’t afford rent or AIDS medication or funeral expenses. So yes…PAY ATTENTION YOUNG QUEENS!! Do your research and get your facts straight. Don’t be ignorant and so quick to judge.
cmstlist
I was there for the whole 3 hour event. First of all the video cuts off before the subsequent 2 minutes of doubling down on the rape joke. And then between performances she continued… called Asians “good with their hands but they have no dick”, said that Miss Cracker as a Jew doesn’t pay full price for anything. Among other tired jokes that failed to land.
Before the show even started, an HIV/AIDS charity spoke passionately about HIV stigma and Undetectiable = Untransmittable. They brought Ongina up for a very touching speech. And then on two occasions between sets, Bianca used “Are you positive?” as a punchline when talking to Ongina.
Of note, Bianca’s appearances became more scarce in the second half of the show after the intermission. You could her voice introducing queens but very little face time. I wonder if the organizers told her to stay away from the stage after her first half.
Ryuun12
On one hand I do think its a bit far because she referred to a specific person.
But still, comedy should have no boundaries. I for one like dark humor. Anthony Jeselnik comes to mind as someone known for his very dark humor, if you don’t like that stuff, don’t watch it. And ever since we met Bianca she has always been the low-blow, cutthroat humor queen.
And she brings up an excellent point, that I have noticed since Roxxxy Andrews in S5. I do believe she is a victim of rape, but its very obvious she used that as a tool to save herself from being eliminated. I don’t see why it needs to be brought up on national television at all, and then specifically at a point you might lose?
Roxxxy did the same thing. Did her number against Alyssa just fine, Alyssa is the obvious better dancer. Then all of a sudden she starts crying uncontrollably and feels comfortable sharing her story. Then next episode Roxxxy has the gall to get mad that Alyssa wasn’t eliminated. She even admitted in All Stars she played the game and was a cunt, didn’t refer to that moment, but she admits she did whatever she could to win, even being a manipulative bitch.
So I agree with Bianca with this overdone trope in reality TV for obvious sob stories. I just think it was mainly bad since it was about a specific person.
Ashke113
Get over it, they’re just jokes and Blair whatever the name is only used the excuse at the last minute just like Roxie told her “left at the bus station” bullshit. How many fake tears were shed then for Roxie like they were for Blair, and how many fake “poor Blairs” are being put out for him now. There are alot of us who where raped and there are alot of us who chose to not let it run our lives or define who we are or use it as an excuse for anything. So grow up get over it and in the immortal words of Latrice & the 5-G’s Good God Gurl Get a Grip……
Shaugn
Amen.
glockenspiel
Didn’t seem out of nowhere to me. Ross was going on about how she’s always cutesy, and she explained it was a coping mechanism. I don’t really remember the circumstances of when Roxxxy talked about her mom, but I know the story is true. Whether or not they brought it up because they wanted sympathy is one thing, but I don’t think they were lying.
Also, why did/do people pretend to feel sympathetic for Roxxxy and Blaire? Genuine question.
QueerTruth
Grow up??
Who are you to tell the world what’s appropriate and what’s not.
Nowhere in the world are rape jokes – jokes.
This isn’t some generic joke. It was pointed and aimed at a particular person who was raped! Have you no clue? You may feel differently if Bianca were on stage and used your name and mocked your experience of being raped.
It’s very personal and disgusting. Period.
Jamie
I completely agree with you on one thing…
“Who are you to tell the world what’s appropriate and what’s not.”
khan72
Name on comic who makes jokes about women being raped. There are none, because we all accept that rape is not a joke. It can destroy lives, there is nothing funny about it. By making jokes about men being raped Bianca dimishes it. She sounds more like a homophobe than allie
Sammy Schlipshit
I agree. Rape ain’t funny.
I stay pissed off at anyone who jokes about prison rape. As it’s been said, rape is rape regardless of where it occurs. Especially horrible in prison as the person attacked has no option but to see their rapists every damn day. They don’t have the opportunity nor luxury to go somewhere else. I’m assuming here but it’s doubtful there is counseling available in prisons. The first thing they would want to know is ‘Who did it?” Answering that question would only bring on further violence/violation or being murdered.
Now, about Bianca. Yep, she was harsh but who would be surprised by any of her jokes? It’s her style. Everyone is free to not laugh but kids, don’t get your panties in a twist over everything that ‘offends’ you. Guess what? You will be offended every day of your life. Your outrage offends me. Get used to it. People say and do unpleasant and horrible things all the time. Always have and always will.
As your elder, I will tell you that I find the tone of younger folks to be so juvenile and far too delicate. Snowflakes!!! There, I said it. You guys are pitiful. I’m all for changing labels, ways and names in order to respect others but seriously, get those sticks out of your rear and lighten the hell up.
“severely disassociate itself” Of, for goodness sake. They knew who Bianca was when you hired her. No comedian should ever be subjected to getting pre-approval for their set. A lot of big name, successful, hilarious comedians have stopped playing on campuses because of the whiny little, sheltered babies getting offended over anything and everything.
Michele Wolf torn down the house at the Correspondents dinner in DC recently. She was spot on and very pointed with her witticisms. The only ones ‘offended’ were people who are so full of you know what and their suffocating egos.
You want safe, bland, unfunny…stick to Ellen. She’s as boring as they come.
GROW UP.
Jamie
I’m confused by the headline “…and the crowd goes silent”. Even with the crappy quality of the video, you can clearly hear the crowd laughing and a few Oooo’s and Ahhh’s.
As for people saying rape is off limits, what else is off limits? Where do we draw the line? The delivery could have been better and that may not have been the best type of crowd for those remarks, but I don’t think anything should be off limits. Dark comedy is supposed to provoke us. It’s supposed to be an escape from the heavy, dark, depressing world. It’s not for everyone, but I don’t think it should be off limits. There are MANY people whose lives have literally been saved by comedy. It gives people power over tragic events their life. To take that away from them and say it can’t ever be joked about is wrong…IN MY OPINION.
Prax07
Ugh…maybe he was raped, maybe he wasn’t. He did seem to bring it up during the show to use it to his advantage.
And I have no problem with Blanca, he’s always funny.
Polaro
Bianca did not make fun or light of the rape story. Is Bianca’s comedy rude? Sure. Grow up.