Anti-drag congresswoman Lauren Boebert has been hit with backlash over a recent tribute to LGBTQ+ icon Dolly Parton.
The Colorado Republican representative took to X on 23 November to tag Parton in a tweet saying “Yass queen”.
Her tweet followed the singer’s halftime performance at the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders game.
Parton’s performance saw her sing some of her most-loved hits, including “Jolene” and “9 to 5”, while wearing an iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleader costume following releasing her new album, Rockstar, on 17 November.
she looks so younggg — jennyypink (@jennyypink) November 24, 2023
According to CBS, the generous country singer donated $1 million to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign ahead of her halftime performance.
I am so proud to have kicked off the giving season with my Red Kettle Kickoff performance! Every dollar you give to @SalvationArmyUS helps your neighbors in need during the holidays and all year long. #RedKettleKickoff pic.twitter.com/cYVqleNsqp — Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) November 24, 2023
On X, users were quick to call out Boebert for praising Parton, as the country music legend has been, and continues to be, an overt supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
In November, Parton slightly eased up on her no-politics rule to speak about her home state of Tennessee and its hurtful anti-trans laws.
The country singer has also spoke openly about wanting Christian homophobes to stop shaming gays and instead be “more loving”.
Boebert, who has supported numerous anti-LGBTQ+ amendments and recently deliberately misgendered a transgender US veteran, saw her tweet bombarded with backlash.
One person commented “her name out of your mouth is blasphemy,” while another wrote “I don’t think that Lauren Boebert knows that Dolly Parton highly dislikes her,” and someone else claimed “she hates you”.
Another wrote that the Republican doesn’t understand the phrase “Yass queen” and should keep it out of her “nasty” mouth.
The now-popular term originated in the 1980s among the queer black community who took part in the ballroom scene.
“Yass Queen” ….sounds an awful lot like something us gays would say. I didn’t think you liked any of us??? — IGoOnNow37 (@Now37I) November 24, 2023
Others posted in response to Boebert’s tweet highlighting the hurt she has caused the LGBTQ+ community while Parton is a much-loved ally.
Dolly builds libraries. You ban books. I don't think she values your opinion! But yes, "Yass Queen."
P.S. you might want to look up the history of that term. 🤣 — Middle Class Dad (@notmyprecident) November 24, 2023
And while Boebert has openly campaigned against drag performances, arguing that they expose children to explicit and lewd acts and “sexualise” public spaces, she it was found spent hundreds of dollars worth of campaign money at an LGBTQ+ bar.
throoawoot on November 27th, 2023 at 16:14 UTC »
Same energy as Paul Ryan claiming he liked listening to Rage Against the Machine in the gym, and Tom Morello was like "you are literally the machine we are raging against."
Any-Ad-446 on November 27th, 2023 at 14:57 UTC »
Dolly Parton was one of the true white female artist in the 80's that supported progressive topics like education and same sex marriages.Trump ask her to sing at his swearing in but she refused.
theoldgreenwalrus on November 27th, 2023 at 14:40 UTC »
Dolly Parton is a national treasure. And her support of libraries and education is doing a lot of good for our country.
Meanwhile republicans like Boebert are attacking libraries and education. It's fucked.
On that note, I hope that Boebert is defeated in 2024 by Adam Frisch (D)
https://adamforcolorado.com/