Wendy Williams argues gay men should 'stop wearing our skirts and heels'

Wendy Williams has been hit by backlash after saying that gay men should ‘stop wearing our skirts and our heels’.

The 55-year-old was discussing Galentine’s Day – the day birthed by Parks and Recreation to celebrate your girlfriends on 13 February – on Thursday’s edition of her talk show when she turned her attention to men in the audience who applauded the concept.

Wendy said: ‘If you’re a man and you’re clapping, you’re not even a part of this. You don’t understand the rules of the day. It’s women going out and getting saucy and then going back home. You’re not a part. I don’t care if you’re gay. You don’t get a mensie every 28 days.

‘You can do a lot that we do, but I get offended by the idea that we go through something you will never go through. And stop wearing our skirts and our heels.’

While there was some applause, there were a few murmurs of opposition to the comment.

But Wendy persevered, saying: ‘Just saying, girls, what do we have for ourselves?

‘Looky here now, gay men, you’ll never be the woman that we are. No matter how gay, sir.’

The comments offended many viewers – with some noting that Wendy has a large gay fanbase.

One person tweeted: ‘#WendyWilliams trying to alienate the gay community when they are some of her biggest supporters. Oh dear.’

Another wrote: ‘Yes, it was a disgusting moment and she meant every word… I couldn’t believe it..’

Many took Wendy’s ‘skirts and heels’ comment to be a jibe at gay celebs including Billy Porter and Jonathan Van Ness, who play with gender with their fashion and often wear heels, skirts and dresses on the red carpet.

And in response to the digs, Queer Eye’s Tan France started his own hashtag, #GayHeelsForWendy, encouraging gay men to show off their footwear in defiance.

Sharing a totally fierce pic of himself in block heel boots, Tan wrote: ‘Uuuugh, Wendy Williams 🙄 Join my hashtag, so I/she can see your pics in heels!!’

And his colleague Bobby Berk aimed a middle finger emoji at Wendy, tweeting: ‘#WendyWilliams #homophobic.’

Others pointed out that heels were actually originally made for men – with male aristocrats in Europe in the 15th century wearing heeled shoes to appear taller and more formidable.

Wendy seemingly stood by her words as she said later in her Hot Topics segment: ‘So, you know, I tell you every day, and I mean this, and I’m going to keep drilling it in your mind: It is so scary coming out here and sitting here by myself with my loose mouth and my slick humour.

‘And, you know, I’m by myself. I can’t blame anybody but me. I say it, and I mean it.’

The star recently came under fire for seemingly mocking Joaquin Phoenix’s cleft lip, although she later apologised and donated to organisations helping those with cleft lips and palates.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Williams’ rep for comment.

Got a showbiz story?

If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.