Jeff Goldblum Faces Social Media Reaction Over Islam Comments on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’|Hollywood Press reporter

“Exists something in this religious beliefs that is anti-homosexuality? And anti-woman?” the star and special guest asked throughout Friday night’s episode.

Jeff Goldblum came under fire on social networks for asking if Islam was “anti-homosexuality” and “anti-woman” throughout Friday night’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The remarks came after the seven staying queens on the show, now in its 12th season, strolled a patriotic runway customized to today’s “Stars & & Stripes” style. Those participants included Jackie Cox (whose non-drag name is Darius Rose), who wore a red-striped caftan with a midnight blue hijab outlined with 50 silver stars.

Classification is: Stars and Stripes Forever

Whose patriotic lewk was your favorite? #DragRace pic.twitter.com/Xkwdj0ZkH0

— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace)

“You can be Middle Eastern, you can be Muslim and you can still be American,” Cox, who is Iranian-Canadian, said in a voiceover.

Goldblum, who acted as a guest judge on the program, asked Cox after she had walked the runway, “Are you religious, may I ask?”

‘I’m not,” Cox responded. “To be sincere, this attire actually represents the importance that visibility for individuals of religious minorities need to have in this country.”

The star continued by asking Cox about Islam and how the faith deals with LGBTQ people. “Is there something in this faith that is anti-homosexuality and anti-woman? Does that make complex the problem? I’m simply raising it and thinking out loud and perhaps being foolish.”

Goldblum’s commentary was rapidly criticized on social networks, with users keeping in mind Islam is not alone in being a religion that has traditionally victimized females and the LGBTQ community. Several users also kept in mind that Thursday evening marked the start of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting for the religion.

The actor’s questioning opened up a meaningful discussion on the program about Islam, its treatment towards the LGBTQ neighborhood specifically, and how those like Cox who are a part of the culture live through it. RuPaul, possibly finding the sensitivity of the discussion, kept in mind that “drag has actually always shaken the tree, so to speak.”

“There are a lot of various layers to this discussion. If it was ever going to be done, this is the stage to do it,” the host added.

While tearful on the runway, Cox shared that “it’s an intricate concern” and she has her “own misgivings about the method LGBT people are dealt with in the Middle East.”

“At the same time, I am one,” Cox continued. “What is so crucial to me is that if you just occur to be different, then live that fact.”

While cultural norms and standard readings of Islamic sacred text can promote a heteronormative binary of gender identification and sexual preference, according to a current study by Public Religious beliefs Research Study Institute, over half (52 percent) of American Muslims concurred that “society must approve of homosexuality.”

Cox continued to attend to how the U.S. travel restriction that restricts entry into the nation from all Muslim-majority countries has affected her personally. The ban has disallowed immigrants from Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen as well as Cox’s house nation of Iran.

“I’m here, and I are worthy of to be in America simply as much as anyone else.”

Thank you for your bravery, @JackieCoxNYC– we’re so pleased you’re here. #DragRace pic.twitter.com/aVCFXNKHHx

— RuPaul’s Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace)

For Cox, she kept in mind how the restriction stopped her aunt from pertaining to the U.S. to assist look after Cox’s mom. “When the Muslim ban took place, it truly destroyed a lot of my faith in this nation. And really harm my household. Which’s so wrong to me,” Cox shared on the runway.

“I needed to reveal America that you can be LGBT and from the Middle East and there’s going to be made complex shit around that and that’s alright. I’m here and I should have to be in America simply as much as anyone else.”