Actor Jeff Goldblum is facing backlash for questions he asked a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
During a recent Season 12 episode, guest judge Goldblum asked a Muslim contestant if her religion was “anti-homosexuality” and “anti-woman.”
“Is there something in this religion that is anti-homosexuality and anti-woman? Does that complicate the issue? I’m just raising it and thinking out loud and maybe being stupid,” Goldblum asked.
His comments sparked a debate on social media.
Ummmmmmmmm….. Jeff Goldblum wyd pic.twitter.com/dQndTH65VR
— Ira Madison III (@ira) April 25, 2020
Jeff Goldblum felt the need to say “but isn’t Islam anti-gay and anti-woman” to Jackie because she was wearing a stars-and-stripes hijab, as if America hasn’t been anti-gay and anti-woman from the outset, or killed and displaced millions of Muslims, including women and queers…
— Omar Sakr (@OmarjSakr) April 25, 2020
Jeff Goldblum’s question about Islam to the performer wearing hijab in #DragRace always makes me wonder what folks say about us Muslims behind our backs. This was him holding back & trying to be sensitive. He’s well-traveled, informed & he’s from “liberal Hollywood.” I wonder…
— Wajahat “Social Distance Yourself” Ali (@WajahatAli) April 25, 2020
The contestant, Jackie Cox, was wearing a red and white striped caftan and a blue hijab with silver stars and strutted down the runway saying, “You can be Middle Eastern, you can be Muslim, and you can still be American.”
In response to Goldblum’s question, Cox said it was a “complex issue” and acknowledged the treatment of gay and transgender people in much of the Middle East.
