Drag queen shown in Sen. Marco Rubio's campaign ad accuses the GOP lawmaker of 'hateful, homophobic, and transphobic bigotry'



Drag queen "Lil Miss Hot Mess" is accusing Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of "bigotry" after the lawmaker from Florida called out the radical left in a campaign ad that included a brief video clip of the cross dresser engaging in a story reading event for kids.

"The radical left will destroy America if we don't stop them," Rubio says in the campaign ad. "They indoctrinate children," Rubio says as a clip of Lil Miss Hot Mess briefly appears on the screen. Rubio then continues by saying that the left tries "to turn boys into girls," as an image of what appears to be another drag queen with a child appears on screen.

Marco Rubio Ad: Radical Left 2 www.youtube.com

Rubio, who took office in 2011, is currently running for a third term during the 2022 election.

In a video, Lil Miss Hot Mess defended Drag Queen Story Hour events, saying, "We're simply out here reading books to children, encouraging them to use their imagination to envision a more just and fabulous world." The drag queen accused Rubio of engaging in "hateful, homophobic, and transphobic bigotry."

\u201cDrag Queen Story Hour board member @LilMissHotMess was surprised to see herself appear in a Marco Rubio campaign ad. Here, she claps back in a GLAAD exclusive.\u201d
— GLAAD (@GLAAD) 1664984924

"It's ridiculous to come after drag queens for simply reading books to kids," the drag queen said, according to NBC News.

Earlier this year, Lil Miss Hot Mess criticized Rubio after the senator issued a letter to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall calling for the cancellation of a drag queen story event that had been slated to occur in Germany.

"I urge you to immediately cancel this politically divisive event, and take appropriate disciplinary action against all involved in allowing this gross abuse of taxpayer funding to place children in a sexualized environment," Rubio had said in the letter.

"Though the events planned at the Ramstein AFB in Germany had no affiliation with our nonprofit—and importantly, I am speaking as an individual, not a representative of DQSH—Rubio’s comments attack not only on these events, but the broader work of DQSH and lives of LGBTQ+ people," Lil Miss Hot Mess tweeted. "Shame on you, Senator."

\u201cShame on you, Senator.\u201d
— Lil Miss Hot Mess (@Lil Miss Hot Mess) 1654277151

The event was ultimately cancelled. "An advertisement was posted to the base library social media page before the event had completed Ramstein's established processes for special observance coordination and approval," Lt. Col. Will Powell, chief of public affairs for the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein said, according to the Air Force Times. "The advertisement has been removed and the event will not take place."

Lil Miss Hot Mess is the author of the children's books "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It" and "The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish."

"Parents and educators often assume that what children can learn about most from drag performers is to challenge gender stereotypes and celebrate diverse LGBTQ leaders and histories. While these are certainly important learning objectives, drag is also a creative portal to a new world; through drag we’re able to see those elements of society that are a hot mess and find the courage and creativity to change them," Lil Miss Hot Mess wrote in a piece posted earlier this year.

While many parents consider it highly inappropriate for cross-dressers to read stories to children, some people support such programs.

"Drag storytellers, and the libraries and schools that support them, are advancing a love of diversity, personal expression, and literacy that is core to what our city embraces," New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, said in a statement in June.

"I had the honor of assisting with a Drag Queen Story Hour in New York in April," Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York tweeted in June.

\u201cGreat interview w/ @LilMissHotMess! \n\nI had the honor of assisting with a Drag Queen Story Hour in New York in April.\nhttps://t.co/Tcliyhubc6\u201d
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@Carolyn B. Maloney) 1654806600

Drag Queen Story Hour executive director says gun control is needed to protect children: 'Drag queens aren't going into schools to shoot kids'



Drag Queen Story Hour executive director Jonathan Hamilt said that gun control is needed to protect kids.

"You know, 19 students just got shot in Texas, and Texas legislation wants to ban minors from going to drag shows. It makes zero sense. It's a sad, sorry excuse... [for] the lack of gun control, and that's the real issue," Hamilt said, according to the Independent.

A school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, last month left 19 children and two teachers dead.

"Drag queens aren't going into schools to shoot kids... when did we decide that it's appropriate to teach kids how to hide under desks and not to talk about LGBT people and histories?" Hamilt said. "If people really wanted to protect children, it wouldn't be banning LGBTQ education, it would be banning guns."

After a bar in Texas held a "Drag the Kids to Pride" event last weekend, GOP Texas state Rep. Bryan Slaton said that he would propose legislation to protect children from being exposed "to drag shows and other inappropriate events."

Florida state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, also a Republican, tweeted that "Drag Sex Shows aimed at children have come to Florida" and announced that he "will be proposing Legislation to charge w/ a Felony & terminate the parental rights of any adult who brings a child to these perverted sex shows aimed at FL kids."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said that Florida has "laws against child endangerment" and that his administration is examining what actions can be taken "under existing, ah, statutes."

Dallas drag show controversy: DeSantis says staff will look at child endangerment laws in Florida www.youtube.com

"Any attempt to criminalise our work is rooted in tired homophobic and transphobic hate and misinformation, and we refuse to give in to politicians who are too bigoted and boring to comprehend our vision for a world in which every child can be safe fully expressing who they are," Hamilt said, according to the Independent.

The issue of exposing children to drag is very controversial — many parents consider the topic to be highly inappropriate for kids.

Drag Queen Story Hour events involve drag queens reading to children, but Hamilt contended that there is a world of difference between DQSH events and adult drag shows.

"I'm not going to lie and say drag is never sexualised, because drag is an art form and it can be sexual like anything else can be," Hamilt said, according to the Independent. "Drag with adults in an adult setting could be sexual, sure. Is it sexual at a Drag Queen Story Hour? No! Do you bring your kids to an R-rated movie? I hope not. There are actors in R rated movies, and those same actors can be in a family friendly comedy that's rated G...

"Someone who is bigoted or doesn't want to do the research, they're not going to understand that an adult drag show at an adult bar, in the evening, with alcohol, is different from a Drag Queen Story Hour nonprofit event at 11am at a public library.

"Obviously, all adults act differently when they're around children and when they're not. Every schoolteacher has a private life outside of working with children, and you act appropriately around children. That's just a normal thing that all adults do, no matter who you are – gay or straight, drag queen or not," Hamilt said.

A drag queen known as "Lil Miss Hot Mess" has authored two children's books that replace the lyrics of well known songs with drag-related themes. A book titled, "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It," replaces the lyrics of "If You're Happy and You Know It" with words such as "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It, Blow a Kiss!" and "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It, Strike a Pose!"

\u201cIf You're A Drag Queen and You Know It is officially out today! Huge thanks to the entire team at @RP_Kids, @olgadedios, and @LindsayEdgecom1 at @LGRLiterary for making this magic with me! \u2b50\ud83d\udc83\u2728\u201d
— Lil Miss Hot Mess (@Lil Miss Hot Mess) 1652808932

Drag queen authors children's books that replace well-known lyrics with drag-related themes



A drag queen known as "Lil Miss Hot Mess" has authored two children's books that swap the lyrics of well-known songs for words that focus on drag.

A book released last month titled, "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It," replaces the standard lyrics of the familiar tune "If You're Happy and You Know It" with material such as "If You're A Drag Queen And You Know It, Blow A Kiss!" and "If You're A Drag Queen And You Know It, Strike A Pose!"

\u201cIf You're A Drag Queen and You Know It is officially out today! Huge thanks to the entire team at @RP_Kids, @olgadedios, and @LindsayEdgecom1 at @LGRLiterary for making this magic with me! \u2b50\ud83d\udc83\u2728\u201d
— Lil Miss Hot Mess (@Lil Miss Hot Mess) 1652808932

The book follows the 2020 release of a similar book titled "The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish," which replaces the lyrics of "The Wheels on the Bus." A book description says that the "playful picture book offers a quirky twist on a classic nursery rhyme by illustrating all of the ways to 'work it'."

The concept of introducing children to drag remains very controversial.

While many individuals have been disturbed by the Drag Queen Story Hour movement which involves drag performers reading books to children, others, including Democratic Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, have expressed their support for the events.

"I had the honor of assisting with a Drag Queen Story Hour in New York in April," Maloney tweeted on Thursday. In April, Maloney said in a tweet that "thanks to @NYPL and programs like Draq Queen story hour, NYC’s next generation are getting a well rounded education about LGBTQ+ issues and gender identity."

\u201cAcross the country, books are being banned, which are depriving our nation\u2019s youth. \n\nBut thanks to @NYPL and programs like Draq Queen story hour, NYC\u2019s next generation are getting a well rounded education about LGBTQ+ issues and gender identity. \n\n@YuhuaHamasaki\u201d
— Carolyn B. Maloney (@Carolyn B. Maloney) 1649709775

Lil Miss Hot Mess has claimed that "In story hour events, drag is mobilized in age-appropriate ways to encourage kids and families to explore curiosities about culture and history, learn about the diversities in their communities, and stand up for what they believe in." The drag queen continued, "Events are inclusive and insightful: from the moment they begin, children's attentions are transfixed by the multi-sensory experience of drag, and they come away not only with a love of reading but with the confidence to be their boldest selves."

The Libs of TikTok Twitter account recently got slapped down by the social media giant for a tweet regarding a "MEGA DRAG THREAD" that includes examples of various drag events related to kids — "Last night, I received a notice that I was locked out of my account for 'abuse and harassment' and Twitter demanded I delete my mega drag thread post," Libs of TikTok noted Thursday evening in a post on libsoftiktok.com.

"I'm back! Apparently posting videos and flyers of drag events is abusive but the actual events are just 'innocent family friendly entertainment,'" Libs of TikTok tweeted on Thursday when returning to Twitter.

\u201cI\u2019m back! Apparently posting videos and flyers of drag events is abusive but the actual events are just \u201cinnocent family friendly entertainment\u201d\u201d
— Libs of TikTok (@Libs of TikTok) 1654810634
Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images

Rappers for Trump?



Rapper Lil Wayne sang President Donald Trump's praises in a social media post on Thursday, delivering his own October surprise of sorts.

While the artist stopped short of an outright endorsement, it did not go unnoticed that his message was sent out just days ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

What are the details?

"Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus," the rapper, whose given name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., tweeted, along with a photo of him and Trump smiling together in front of a row of American flags.

"Besides what he's done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership," Lil Wayne said of the president, referring to the First Step Act of 2018 and Trump's new "Promise to Black America," adding, "He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done."

Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he's done so far with criminal reform, the plati… https://t.co/8cuYXTN1cE
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@Lil Wayne WEEZY F)1604010504.0

White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere told ABC News the meeting between Lil Wayne and the president took place at Trump National Doral Miami resort.

Conservatives on Twitter went wild over the message, which was retweeted by President Trump, himself. But Lil Wayne also took plenty of heat from anti-Trump critics. Some Trump supporters urged the rapper not to "back down because of the haters."

Lil Wayne is the latest big name rapper to give Trump a nod in the final stretch of his campaign against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, but all have received pushback for any hint of support for the Republican.

Fans of mogul Ice Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, became furious after the Trump campaign revealed earlier this month that the rapper provided input on the president's Platinum Plan. Ice Cube, who has developed his own plan called Contract with Black America, later acknowledged that he weighed in Trump's initiative.

Today, Ice Cube revealed that he turned down a Zoom call with Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), saying he believed it "wasn't going to be productive."

Fellow rapper 50 Cent, whose given name is Curtis James Jackson III, delivered an outright endorsement of Trump last week after learning what tax rates would be under Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, but later appeared to retract his endorsement amid backlash.

Anything else?

ABC News reported:

As a business mogul, Trump was an icon in hip-hop music for more than three decades and rappers, including Lil Wayne, hailed his wealth and power in hundreds of lyrics, but once he jumped into the political ring in 2015, he was fervently rejected by the hip-hop community.

BREAKING: Lil Wayne endorses President Trump

The rapper gave high praise for the President

Rapper Lil Pump endorses Donald Trump for president

"All I got to say is Trump 2020 b*tch," the rapper broadcasted to his over 17 million followers. "F*ck I look like paying an extra 33 in tax for Biden."

College instructor outed by student for calling COVID-19 'the Chinese virus' is placed on leave



A University of Cincinnati adjunct instructor who was outed by one of his students for referring to COVID-19 as "the Chinese virus" has been placed on administrative leave with pay, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, citing documents.

What's the background?

A school investigation was launched after third-year engineering student Evan Sotzing, 20, posted on Twitter an email he received from adjunct instructor John Ucker, the paper said. The email came after Sotzing had to miss a lab session due to being quarantined for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus, the Enquirer noted.

"For students testing positive for the chinese [sic] virus, I will give no grade," the email says, according to the paper. "You can read the info I sent to the class re: the torsion test."

Sotzing's post has gone viral:

My girlfriend tested positive for COVID and the University of Cincinnati's Health Department instructed me to not a… https://t.co/RcprsTUCbN
— lil sauce (@lil sauce)1600376570.0

"I think that the school should take disciplinary actions against the professor because [his] actions completely violate the school's values," Sotzing told the Enquirer last week, adding that he's offended by Ucker's "racist language" and that he's concerned his instructor might punish students for adhering to national, state, and local health guidelines.

What happened next?

The paper reported that UC's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean John Weidner sent an email to Ucker Friday morning saying his courses will be handled by another faculty member for the time being.

"As you are aware, a student in one of your courses has raised a concern regarding one of your emails. This matter has been referred to UC's Office of Equal Opportunity and Access ("OEOA") for review," the email reads, according to the Enquirer. "As such, effective immediately you are being placed on an administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of that review."

Ucker's "full cooperation" with the OEOA review is "both expected and appreciated," Weidner added in the email, the paper noted.

The Enquirer noted that the following morning, Weidner confirmed the matter was referred for review to the OEOA, which handles matters concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on disability, race, color, religion, national origin, and other identities.

"These types of xenophobic comments and stigmatizations around location or ethnicity are more than troubling," Weidner wrote to the Enquirer. "We can better protect and care for all when we speak about COVID-19 with both accuracy and empathy — something we should all strive for."

Anything else?

Ucker's personnel file indicates he's taught at the university since 1996, the paper reported, and that an August letter states he was offered an adjunct position in the College of Engineering and Applied Science effective Aug. 24 through Dec. 12 for $3,600.

"Your appointment is contingent upon student enrollment, program need and student evaluation, and the University reserves the right to change or withdraw course offerings, instructors or schedules as these factors are evaluated and assessed," the letter reads, according to the Enquirer.

The letter also states three requirements expected of Ucker, the paper said: To hold two office hours per week; to not miss any classes; and to "do a good job teaching and taking care of the students."

Ucker as of Tuesday did not reply to an email from the Enquirer sent last week.

UC student: Adjunct professor gave student 0 on lab because he was in quarantineyoutu.be