CBB star India Willoughby says drag queens like RuPaul ‘cheapen’ transgender cause
The transgender journalist has raised eyebrows with her comments in the house.
Celebrity Big Brother star India Willoughby has raised eyebrows after claiming that people can’t distinguish between a transgender person and someone in drag.
The journalist and former ITV Border reporter entered the CBB house on Tuesday as part of an all-female house as the reality show celebrated the ‘Year of the Woman’.
Speaking to fellow housemate Maggie Oliver about Drag Queens on Tuesday (January 2), Willoughby said: “For people like me it’s not a part-time thing and it’s not a choice.
“That word transgender can mean everything from RuPaul to someone who’s Bob one day and Barbara another day and I think that cheapens the seriousness of it.”
Viewers were quick to take issue with Willoughby’s comments on Twitter.
One user wrote: “No sorry @IndiaWilloughby gf @RuPaul is not transgender. You of all people should educate yourself about your people and not judge #CelebrityBigBrother #CBB”.
No sorry @IndiaWilloughby gf @RuPaul is not transgender. You of all people should educate yourself about your people and not judge #CelebrityBigBrother #CBB 🙄
— 💫 Lorna 💖💎✨ (@99lorna99) January 3, 2018
Another user wrote: “WTF is @IndiaWilloughby chatting sh*t about? Drag queens aren’t classed as a sexuality like she was insinuating. This misinformation is dangerous considering the amount of heteros that watch this ffs. #CelebrityBigBrother #cbb #CBBUK”.
WTF is @IndiaWilloughby chatting shit about? Drag queens aren’t classed as a sexuality like she was insinuating.. This misinformation is dangerous considering the amount of heteros that watch this ffs. #CelebrityBigBrother #cbb #CBBUK
— DΔNIEL (@_DanOfTheDead_) January 3, 2018
Meanwhile, Boy George tweeted: “Not loving @IndiaWilloughby comments. Anyone who promotes difference is part of the daisy change of change, including @rupaul and Bob in a dress on Friday!”
Not loving @IndiaWilloughby comments. Anyone who promotes difference is part of the daisy change of change, including @rupaul and Bob in a dress on Friday!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 3, 2018
Willoughby’s presence in the Celebrity Big Brother house already been swept up in controversy after former Daily Mail columnist Katie Hopkins made a series of anti-trans remarks about the star during her entrance earlier this week.
Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.