WE’RE MORE USED to Celebrity Big Brother contestants getting into scraps than having calm and reasonable conversations, but this year’s show is proving to be a little different.
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race were delighted to see drag queen Courtney Act (real name Shane Jenek) enter the house on Saturday – she even gave us the first really iconic moment of the season when her skirt ripped off during her introduction.
However, the reception was a little different inside, with trans broadcaster India Willoughby admitting to a “weird phobia” of drag queens.
On last night’s episode, the pair sat down for a proper discussion about the whole thing, and Courtney is being praised for her thoughtful approach to the subjects of sexuality and gender.
“We know that a lot of people just see us as the same, and we both know that’s completely incorrect,” she told India.
I think the tricky thing is that my feeling is that gender does exist on a spectrum, like the Kinsey scale with sexuality from zero to six, where zero is exclusively heterosexual and six is exclusively homosexual…
I think that gender is similar, in that if one is female and six is male, I’m probably… I’m probably a four. I’m close to the middle but I’m on the male side of the middle, whereas you would be a one. You’re a woman. And probably most of the people in this house are closer to the one or the six.
“It is more complex because there are more than two answers, and people aren’t used to that,” she said. “They’re like, male, female… Got it. I think the conversation will evolve, hopefully.”
Can’t see the video? Click here.
Later, Courtney talked to former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe about marriage equality, which the politician repeatedly voted against during her 23 years in parliament.
Though they couldn’t come to an agreement, Courtney calmly told the Diary Room that it was good they could have a discussion about it.
I like that you can have a civilised conversation with someone who has a different opinion to yourself. I respect her right to have her opinions.
Viewers are really impressed with how Courtney/Shane engaged with the rest of the housemates’ opinions with respect:
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We could all learn a lot from Courtney. What a Class Act. (We’ll get our coats.)
