TV

Jeff Goldblum inspires fierce discussion about LGBT+ acceptance in Islam after divisive RuPaul’s Drag Race showing

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum appeared as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. (RuPaul’s Drag Race/ Twitter)

Jeff Goldblum questioning whether Islam is “anti-homosexuality” and “anti-woman” while guest judging on RuPaul’s Drag Race has sparked intense discussion amongst fans.

Goldblum appeared as a guest judge on episode nine of the twelfth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which featured a “Stars and Stripes” themed runway challenge.

Jackie Cox, who is Iranian Canadian, walked the runway in a red and white striped kaftan and a starred hijab, saying in her voiceover: “You can be Middle-Eastern, you can be Muslim and you can still be American.”

But when it came to the judges comments, Goldblum asked Cox if she was religious, to which she responded: “I am not. To be honest, this outfit really represents the importance that visibility for people of religious minorities need to have in this country.”

He then mused: “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.”

While Cox admitted she had “misgivings about the way LGBT+ people are treated in the Middle East”, she added: “At the same time, I am one. What is so important to me is that if you just happen to be different, then live that truth.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race fans took to social media to discuss Goldblum’s comments.

One wrote: “The WORST moment this week was Jeff Goldblum’s wildly unnecessary comment about homophobia and sexism in Islam.

“So many queens have worn Christian imagery and not once were they questioned about shit like that. Jackie’s runway was powerful and she didn’t deserve that.”

“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,” said another.

However, others defended the actor and musician, saying that while it may not have been the time or place for the discussion, his questions were not intended as hateful.

One Twitter user wrote: “Jeff Goldblum having valid questions about Islam =/= Islamophobia.

“It wasn’t the smartest thing to bring up on national television when there wasn’t a set up for an actual discussion about it, but it was an earnest inquiry that wasn’t brought up with any malicious intent.”

Another said: “I also have no problem with the Jeff Goldblum question in theory.

“If he’s uneducated and has no malice, he should be free to ask these things. It just wasn’t the platform to air that.”

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