Members of Philadelphia’s LGBT community are outraged this week following a local white drag queen’s September 11th performance, during which she apparently dressed as a Muslim woman wearing several bombs in what could be considered a “bomb vest.”
The performance was given by Ariel Versace (right) at an installment of Voyeur Nightclub’s annual “Drag Wars” competition, hosted by Drag Race veteran Mimi Imfurst
The weekly show is described as “RuPaul’s Drag Race meets The Voice” and operates much like Drag Race — several queens compete in lip synch challenges every week until one is crowned as the winner.
Last Thursday, contestant Ariel Versace took to the stage in what has been described as “Muslim garb,” holding toy bombs and wearing a vest that included a handful of toy bombs as well.
Though unconfirmed by the venue and show host, a disgruntled drag fan tells us that someone in the audience — perhaps involved in the performance — had also flown paper airplanes onto the stage, which were intercepted by Versace as part of the performance.
A drag fan tells us:
[Ariel] made a complete mockery out of the 9/11 tragedy by dressing up in Muslim garb and wearing bombs…As a former New York queen, I can’t believe [Mimi Imfurst] would allow such a production to not only go on, but then push through. More ridiculously, Jiggly Caliente, another NYC queen performed that night.
In response to a Facebook status on Mimi Imfurst’s wall earlier that day, Ariel seemed to know beforehand that her performance may not be received well. “I’m. Going. To. Hell. For. Tonight.,” she wrote:
At least two photos showing Ariel Versace in the offensive “Muslim garb” were posted to a Drag Wars photo album on Facebook but were removed before time of posting. We’re told by the photographer that they were taken down at Ariel’s request.
Art is subjective, but response to the offensive performance has been almost unanimously condemned on Facebook. Several Facebook fans have called the performance “disgusting,” “classless,” and “distasteful.”
Ariel Versace had not responded to multiple requests for comment at time of posting. A photo of the performance, as well as conversation regarding it, can be found below. If you have other photos or videos of Ms. Versace’s performance, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Photo via Facebook
Cam
Do the people writing the story know that Muslim is a religion, not a race? I was just curious because describing the performer as “Local White Drag Queen” seemed odd. There are plenty of White Muslims, as well as black Muslims, not just Arab or Persians.
I just thought it was a strange editorial choice.
Polaro
Eh, people need to lighten the fuk up.
jkb
@Polaro: And how were there supposed to respond to the performance? By laughing and applauding?
dgea1986
The fact that you felt compelled to post her picture as a boy is more invasive and offensive to me than any performance could be. As the fiancée of a drag performer, I am alarmed at the possible danger that you have put Ariel in. This is especially important to keep in mind with the major attack that recently occurred in Philly.
Merv
And? Islam is religious and political movement, making it an appropriate target for political commentary.
QJ201
Hello
What friggin song was she lip syncing to?
We cannot judge a drag queens “performance” out of context and solely on costume.
It might have been camptastic for all we know.
VampDC
SO DISGRACEFUL.
Being a New Yorker that day is something you will never just “move on” from. So disgusting for this drag queen to do this.
jar
@QJ201: That was my first thought, too. The song choice could make all the difference.
Shofixti
Yes. Let us all demand that drag never make a mockery… er… wut?
phillygay25
As someone who saw the performance, I was more offended by the one dressed as a Nazi.
seaguy
While it was tasteless to go that on 9/11 people seem to forget that one of the things all our soldiers have fought for is our freedoms. And freedom of expression is one of those rights.
bbg372
@VampDC: How dare he take shots at terrorists!
james_in_cambridge
This is disgusting and yes, I’m repulsed, yet, I’m also laughing my ass off! And anyway, Ariel comes in second in this race to the bottom: the idiot queen dressed as a Nazi gets first place.
This article also fails to mention that the challenge the Queens faced that night was to be as offensive as possible. The people who held this contest are the ones who should be held responsible for this fiasco.
buffnightwing
Drag Queens are sick individuals. This is why they always attack each other and gays in general with bitchiness. OVER DRAG.
Cam
@VampDC: said….
“SO DISGRACEFUL.
Being a New Yorker that day is something you will never just “move on” from. So disgusting for this drag queen to do this.”
__________________________________
Really? You will NEVER move on from it? Are you running around everyday screaming? You aren’t? Hmmm, then it seems that you may have at least PARTIALLY moved on doesn’t it?
Were you in the towers? Did you lose a loved one? Or are you perhaps a bit of a Drama Queen? There are millions of people in both NYC and DC who do not go around every day not living their lives because they haven’t “Moved On”. If you want to trap yourself into that world that is fine, but isn’t that type of paralazation exactly what the terrorists wanted when they attacked?
So basically you are responding in exactly the way that the terrorists wanted.
Cam
@james_in_cambridge:
James, thank you, actually that piece of information would have been helpful if they’d put it in the article wouldn’t it?
Bev
I was Ariel’s mentor/team captain in the competition and I helped her craft the number to the specifications of that challenge, of which there were only 3: Make it politically incorrect, funny and offensive. If she succeeded in all 3 is a matter of opinion, but I think we can all agree she met at least 2.
Other contestants that night chose to make their numbers about Abortion, Pedophilia, Molestation, Race issues etc. I’m sure certain groups would find these subjects offensive as well. As someone actually in attendance that night, I’m sure there were those individuals who were genuinely offended but it appeared to me that a majority of those offended were more upset that their favorite contestant was being overshadowed.
Perhaps the original writer of the article in Philly ( who was not in attendance for the performance) thought we needed a respite from all the Philly Gay Bashing articles, but to me it seems like another situation where the author of this article is adding unnecessary fuel to a fire to create controversy and increase viewer traffic as he’s done in the past with other hot button “issues”. To make a pariah out of a performer when not giving all the details is at the least, very shady, and at the most; dangerous and irresponsible.
And furthermore, judging a performance you didn’t see on the opinions of your friends is like saying “No i didn’t like 12 Years a Slave because my cousin didn’t.”
xoxo BEV
(drops mic)
Cam
@Bev:
::::::::Clapping:::::::
james_in_cambridge
@Cam: It’s all about generating clicks. Truth doesn’t seem to matter any longer.
o.codone
“Seriously disgusted right now with this. I know some may say I’m overreacting. The Muslim community did not cause 9/11”. REALITY CHECK. The Muslim community DID cause 9/11 as part of their jihad against the west. Gurl, who do you think did it, the Episcopalians?
Secondly, Queerty once again contrives a story where there isn’t one. Did you think you were going to just bash this cute drag queen as anti muslim and get away with it? There were too many witnesses. Queerty should apologize for this bull*sh*it story.
applebee
So much liberal retardness in one article like this, still singing the lame song of muslim did not create 9/11, umm for hell they sure, they are creating problem everywhere in the world, dumbass. Libtard= corward white poeple with no balls