Metro Weekly

Craig Ferguson tells John Waters: Transgender controversy made him feel ‘awful’ [video]

“I got into terrible trouble with some of the transgender community because they thought I was making fun of them because I was wearing a dress. And I was horrified. Is it not okay for me to wear a dress?…. It’s dangerous water…. I want to let people know that this is a safe place that, you know, whatever your sexual preference, or whatever minority you belong to, you’re welcome here. I don’t judge people (except this audience). I felt awful.”

Late night funny guy Craig Ferguson commenting about a controversy that erupted online recently. (Craig Ferguson via YouTube)

A couple of week ago, a comedy skit was criticized for mocking transgender people because it used a character described as Ferguson’s half-sister, “Peg Blerguson,” played by a male actor dressed shabbily in female attire. Ferguson’s guest, John Waters, may have extended this controversy a little with these comments:

”I think it’s certainly okay. I sometimes argue with some of the gay militant groups because, why do we have to be ‘good’ all of sudden? I’m for the rights of bad lesbian mothers. I think that I’m for gay villains. I don’t think suddenly we have to be good all the time.

”And ‘trannies.’ There’s a movie that came out called ‘Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives‘ …. They can’t [say ‘tranny’ anymore]. The got mad about it. And I’m like ‘Why?’ And they’re like ‘Some of these trannies look like drag queens.’ Well, I know a few that do!

”Most trannies are heterosexual anyway. I don’t get that, but they are, yeah. They look like ‘Tootsie’ and they tip badly…. It’s true, because they come in Provincetown when they have this convention there, in the fall, where straight transvestites come with their mortified wives. And basically, they say, ‘OK, you can do it this one week, but don’t be doing it at home.’ And they’re walking around looking like ‘Tootsie.’ And all the waiters leave because they tip badly. I don’t know why.”

Here, you can view video of “Peg Blerguson:”

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!