What drag queen?

The New York Times ties itself in knots.

The paper has avoided using the phrase to describe flamboyant gay performer Kevin Aviance in its coverage of his brutal beating in the Village. Even though Aviance describes himself as a "drag queen," the ever-politically correct Times refers to him as a "dance recording artist," a "Manhattan singer" and part of a "group of like-minded people." Blogger Eric Umansky asks: "Who does the Times think it's protecting? Does it think Aviance is ashamed of being a drag queen? Does it think readers can't handle the fact that some men occasionally dress as women?" The Times also balks at the word "panties" because it is offensive to some feminists.