'RHOBH': Lisa Vanderpump issues statement following uproar over 'transphobic' comment about Erika Jayne
Lisa Vanderpump regrets her "transphobic" comment about "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" co-star Erika Jayne.
Viewers were outraged over the original cast member's remark that she made during a confessional interview on Tuesday night's episode of the Bravo hit.
"Just don’t ask me if Erika’s tucking or something like that because there are some things I can’t lie about," Vanderpump laughed while discussing the self-elected lie detector test that she took to prove her innocence in the #PuppyGate storyline.
Oh come on @lisavanderpump joking about @erikajayne “tucking” Ugly Trans jokes marginalizing our community are not acceptable. Being an ally doesn’t give you a free pass
To make transphobic remarks. Do better pic.twitter.com/bkJoWxNkLO— Candis Cayne (@candiscayne) May 22, 2019
Her comment immediately sparked criticism on Twitter from viewers and co-stars alike. Lisa Rinna, perhaps Vanderpump's most outspoken foe, tweeted, "Who knew Lvp was transphobic? Well, we know NOW!"
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In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the controversy erupted, Vanderpump expressed her regret over her "poor choice of words," but stopped short of saying the word "sorry."
"It was not my intention to belittle the trans community with my poor choice of words directed toward Erika," Vanderpump said in a statement to Us Weekly. "I have nothing but respect and love for trans people around the world, as I have been a staunch supporter, provided employment offered emotional support and championed LGBTQ issues."
"With recent news of trans women losing their lives for living their authentic truth in a world of discrimination and hate, I never want to diminish the very real pain and struggle that trans people go through every day," she added.
