COMMENTARY: The N-Word and the LGBT community

Aaron Cody, a white gay man who performs in drag as Sharon Needles and who is a past winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, has caused controversy because of his defiant use of the “N” word. He has used the word in his act and referred to an African-American fan, Catarina Reyes, as a ni__er when he signed an autograph. This caused a controversy within the LGBTQ communities that included protests occurring at his performances.