Vice President Kamala Harris was blasted online for hosting the cast and crew of “Queer Eye” at the White House last week.
A video of the Netflix show’s star, Jonathan Van Ness, who identifies as non-binary and is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ issues and “trans kids,” caught flack after he was seen hosting a mock press briefing at the White House.
Standing at the podium in a dress, Van Ness was asked by an off-camera cast member, “JVN, is it true that is all your natural hair?”
Tossing his long hair, he replied. “Yes, I can confirm that this is not a wig, thank you so much for asking. No extensions.” Then managed to give a shout out to his own brand as the root of his healthy roots.
Bidens obsession with hosting men at the White House who advocate for child sex changes will never cease.
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) June 19, 2024
The fake press conference caused an uproar with conservative critics of the Biden administration.
Best-selling author Jordan Peterson shared the video, writing, “Seriously, WTF. Enough of this.”
“What is happening at The White House,” conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted.
The cast of @QueerEye joined me at the White House to discuss the hard-fought progress the LGBTQI+ community has made in the past 20 years.
Thank you for a meaningful conversation, for giving my office your stamp of approval, and for being fabulous. pic.twitter.com/L3pzaYpo1W
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 18, 2024
Conservative influencer Libs of TikTok added, “They’re making a mockery of our great country. Disgusting.”
“Kamala Harris meets Dylan Mulvaney’s hairdresser at the White House. Jonathon Van Ness, who identifies as non-binary using They/He/She pronouns, attended a Pride event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ‘Queer Eye’ hosted by the Vice President,” Oli London commented.
The event celebrated the 20th anniversary of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” which started out on Bravo, but was picked up by Netflix as “Queer Eye.”
During the sit down with Harris, cast members discussed HIV—an illness Van Ness lives with—and their experiences with Planned Parenthood, where he was diagnosed.
“I have been living with HIV for over 10 years, and I think it is a really interesting example of intersectionality when you look at what has happened with Planned Parenthood,” he remarked.
“You think of Planned Parenthood as a place that provides reproductive access, which they do. I also found out that I was HIV positive at Planned Parenthood.”
Van Ness told Harris that the nation must “protect institutions that are protecting people,” with Harris responding that the nonprofit organization “gives people dignity.”
She spoke about visiting a clinic this year and highlighted the wide range of services they provide, including HIV testing and other screenings, stating, “They are trusted. They are in touch with the community.”
Executive producer Michael Williams talked about his lesbian 15-year-old daughter, who was conceived through IVF and surrogacy, expressing his hope for easier access to these reproductive methods for young gay couples.
Van Ness went on to complain about a traumatic experience of being filmed by women in a Las Vegas bathroom, when he used a women’s restroom.
“I’ve never experienced intimidation in a bathroom in the way that I did in Vegas,” he whined. “It made me think about people who have had horrific things happen to them in bathrooms, but then queer people are the ones scapegoated for these instances.”
“It’s really the patriarchy and this toxic structure of the binary that we have to exist within,” the hair care guru added.
Harris said that non-binary people like Van Ness, who choose to use the bathrooms and locker-rooms of their opposite biological sex “have to be vigilant.”
“We can’t take any of these things for granted, and also, let’s be fueled by the optimism that we can get better than we are,” she urged. “It is not only about maintaining the progress that we have achieved, but let’s keep going.”
Which naturally segued into a plug for the Biden-Harris administration in the upcoming election.
“There are forces that are trying to make people feel small and outside,” she warned. “And we have to remind each other then, don’t ever let anyone take your power away, including the power of your vote.”
Harris said that meeting with the cast and crew of the show gave her a “sense of optimism.”
“Knowing that the majority of us, I think, do value certain things, including that we fight for each other’s dignity, that we agree to the foundational principles of our country,” she concluded.
“All are equal and entitled to certain freedoms and certain rights that cannot be taken.”
She posted a photo hugging a drag queen, which was captioned, “Our LGBTQI+ children should not fear who they are. No one should be made to fight alone. We are all in this together and we will fight with pride.”
Our LGBTQI+ children should not fear who they are.
No one should be made to fight alone.
We are all in this together and we will fight with pride. pic.twitter.com/9LlauYZkUU
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 18, 2024
The post was not well received by commenters on social media, including conservative actor Kevin Sorbo who replied: “Fire whichever intern posted this. Absolutely idiotic.”
“Lady, the entire world is on fire, WW3 is inching at our door step and you’re over here worrying about showing people how hard you can virtue signal?” Someone else responded.
Harris also managed to get a promotion in another video from the meeting which showed cast members Carson Kressley, Jai Rodriguez, Karamo Brown and Van Ness, entering the White House.
After greeting the vice president with hugs, Rodriguez told her they would be “[fighting] every urge not to open drawers,” which he said was in their DNA.
“Honey – I mean Madam Vice-President,” Van Ness addressed her, before correcting himself.
In the closed captioning that accompanied the video, referred to Harris as “Madam President.”