Talk:Cell Block Tango

Inappropriate/Outdated Terminology in "Covers" section

I noticed a potential issue regarding the language used to describe the Glamorous cover of "Cell Block Tango".

Looking at the article history:

• On 28 August 2023, an IP user added: "In the Glamorous episode 'Are You On The List?', the song was lip-synced by 6 drags including Marco Mejia (portrayed by Miss Benny)."
• On 28 August 2025, another IP user changed "drags" to "transvestites" (linking to the Transvestism page).

According to GLAAD's Media Reference Guide, "transvestite" is an offensive and outdated term that has been replaced by "cross-dresser". Furthermore, GLAAD states that cross-dressing, drag performance and being a transgender woman are entirely distinct from one another and conflating them is inaccurate.

The actor Miss Benny is a transgender woman, and the performance in the episode features drag artists. Per MOS:Identity, Wikipedia style requires language that reflects accurate gender identity and expression. Applying an offensive term historically rooted in clinical cross-dressing to a scene featuring a trans actress and drag performers is factually incorrect and inappropriate for an encyclopaedia.

I haven't watched this specific series myself, but unless the show uses that term intentionally in-world, it should be updated to reflect encyclopaedic, respectful and modern language.

I propose changing "transvestites" to "drag queens" or "drag artists" to match the actual context of the scene. I'd welcome thoughts from anyone who has watched the series to confirm, but otherwise, I plan to make the edit based on Wikipedia MOS regarding gender identity and modern terminology.

Cotdanc (talk) 04:34, 7 June 2026 (UTC)