Drag wrestling show apologizes for Brooklyn Center for the Arts’ ICE skit
Drag wrestling show Choke Hole apologized on Friday for its controversial ICE-themed segment at Pioneer Works, a Brooklyn arts center.
“We are deeply sorry for creating a painful environment for many viewers,” Choke Hole wrote in a statement posted on Instagram. “Our attempt to address this very real violence through satire is offensive and inconsiderate and we completely miss the point.”
This event is called end of the worldwhich coincided with an exhibition by artist Raúl de Nieves earlier this week. according to Art Network NewsA sex robot character named Visqueen hosts the event, at one point announcing that an ICE agent is present and that the agent is here to get rid of the alien queen Gorlëënyah, who had a sexual encounter with the agent. A wrestler named Candy Payne battled the fictional agent and won.
But the performance angered some in the audience, including transgender activist Chiquitita, who took to the ring and addressed the audience. “Our fucking people were fucking robbed,” Chiquitita said. “We don’t take that shit lightly.”
An Instagram post of Chiquitita’s speech received more than 3,900 likes. “啊哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈)）
Choke Hole, who did not mention Chiquitita by name, acknowledged that some people had raised concerns about the performance.
“Our cast expressed dissatisfaction with the match during rehearsals for the show and we, the producers, took no action,” Choke Hole wrote. “It would be irresponsible for us to face such a serious and horrific reality without more care and consideration.”
Choke Hole said it has donated more than $3,000 to NYC ICE Watch and urged its followers to donate as well.
Several people have expressed admiration for Choke Hole’s work, including artist Swoon. “No one is perfect and great art has moments where it misses the mark and that’s part of the process,” she commented on the apology. “Your community believes in you and supports you.”
