Lisa Vanderpump.Photo: Getty Images
The Real Housewives of Beverly HillsstarLisa Vanderpumpis in hot water after making a dig at costar Erika Jayne that many fans deemed transphobic.
Vanderpump, 58, was in the hot seat during Tuesday’s episode, as she agreed toundergo a lie detector testin order to prove her innocence in thePuppyGate scandalthat’s dominated the season.
But during a confessional, the reality star made a comment implying Jayne is transgender and “tucks” in male genitalia.
“Just don’t ask me if Erika’s tucking it under or something like that, because there are some things I can’t lie about,” Vanderpump said with a laugh.
Erika Jayne.Shutterstock
The star passed her test – during which she was asked about the dog-related drama between her andDorit Kemsley– with flying colors, but her comment quickly drew backlash on social media from fans and costars alike who said it was anti-trans.
“Who know Lvp was transphobic?”Lisa Rinnatweeted. “Well, we know NOW!”
Vanderpump, 58, apologized for the remark Wednesday.
“It was not my intention to belittle the trans community with my poor choice of words directed toward Erika,” she toldPage Sixin a statement. “I have nothing but respect and love for trans people around the world, as I have been a staunch supporter, provided employment offered emotional support and championed LGBTQ issues. With recent news of trans women losing their lives for living their authentic truth in a world of discrimination and hate, I never want to diminish the very real pain and struggle that trans people go through every day.”
Jayne, 47, did not respond on social media, but she did retweet a note from transgender actress andI Am Caitstar Candis Cayne.
“Oh come on @lisavanderpump joking about @erikajayne ‘tucking’ Ugly Trans jokes marginalizing our community are not acceptable,” she wrote. “Being an ally doesn’t give you a free pass to make transphobic remarks. Do better.”
Some fans even called for a boycott of Vanderpump’s Los Angeles restaurants Sur and Pump.
Addedanother, “@LisaVanderpump did you really just allude to @erikajayne being a trans woman, as a joke insult? How absolutely classless are you? Trans women have been murdered this year, most recently #MuhlaysiaBooker. Their lives are not a joke!”
Booker, a 23-year-old transgender woman, was shot to death in Texas last week, just one month after she was seen being brutally beaten on a cellphone video.
“I genuinely want @LisaVanderpump to explain to me how her ‘joke’ about @erikajayne ‘tucking’ was funny. Really I do. What’s the punchline? See if you can think of a way to explain it without admitting you’re saying it’d be embarrassing for her to be trans or a drag queen,” yet another fanwrote.
RHOBHairs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
source: people.com
