rant · moment 13 of 16

Desmond the Amazing and Kids on Bars

from Episode 152 - Feral · #152

4 min

Tim discusses the viral ten-year-old drag-dancing kid Desmond the Amazing, arguing it's child endangerment regardless of political backlash, and contrasts it with legitimate gay performers like Tai Rivera who win over hostile crowds through comedy.

In this bit10 moments
  • Tim asks why there's a ten-year-old child dancing on a bar at drag events and describes Desmond the Amazing performing while adults throw money at him.
  • Older gay people Tim has spoken to are disturbed by children at these events and reject the idea that it represents their community.
  • Tim compares trans identity claims to identifying as thin or a volleyball champion—saying attraction is about what people actually see, not what someone claims to be.
  • Injecting children with hormones before age 18 is child abuse, and children should not be performing sexually in bars regardless of their identity.
  • Tim questions who approves of a ten-year-old dancing on a bar for money and notes the child was celebrated on Good Morning America.
  • Dance classes for children are fine, but having adult men throw money at a kid in a bar is sick and exploitative.
  • When he tries to discuss these concerns, people accuse him of being self-hating, not really gay, or not understanding the movement.
  • This behavior sets the broader gay rights movement back because mainstream observers see it and think the entire movement is extreme.
  • Not every gay man wants to wear a g-string at Pride, but media and some in the community treat that aesthetic as the only authentic version of being gay.
  • Demanding conformity to a stereotype—saying someone isn't really gay unless they embrace every aspect of Pride culture—is the same as questioning someone's identity if they don't fit racial stereotypes.
Mentioned here

Desmond the amazingGood Morning America

All 16 moments in this episode →