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Drag queen Jackie Beat is known for her trademark irreverent humor, but did a joke she made on Twitter on Wednesday that has sparked a backlash really cross the line, as her critics are accusing?
“I’ll admit Madonna’s new song is catchy…But so is AIDS," Jackie Tweeted on Wednesday.
The retaliations poured in instantaneously, with comments like:
"I wonder how all of you lighthearted queens would react if you actually had HIV. Millions of people die from it still in areas of the world where medicine is scarce and expensive, and I can assure you, they would not be laughing at this. I love some of Jackie's work, but this is just bad taste, unless you actually have HIV."
"Sorry but comparing a Madonna song to AIDS is nothing short of disgusting! Shame on you Jackie Beat!"
Most of Jackie's fans and followers supported her comment, however, with some writing:
"Its a drag queen making a joke, No where do I see Jackie supporting the disease in an encouraging way. Unless you ARE madonna with HIV then get a life and maybe check out a drag show or something. The world isn't ending- go to bed."
"If "the gays" can't co-exist in a country with free speech how can we ever expect equal rights? We are our own worst enemy. And P.S. Comedy exists to make the unbearable more tolerable, keep up the good work Jackie Beat. If we can past our fear of this word, perhaps we can eradicate it. But first, the Jews!"
Jackie defended herself by responding:
“Go tell it to a Jew who makes Holocaust jokes or Black comic who uses the word “nigger”…If a 48 year-old faggot drag queen cannot make an AIDS joke then who the fuck can? Let me guess… NO ONE? Go watch “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work” and get back to me.”
What do you think, Instincters? Did Jackie Beat's joke go too far as some have claimed?
(Photographer credit: Austin Young; Image source: Queerty)
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