As the world has surely learned by now, when life lobs lemons at Mrs. Beyoncé Knowles Carter she reflects and then releases a game-changing album filled with rage and pain. When word reached her royal ears about the injustice faced by trans folks in North Carolina who just want to use the rest room of the gender with which they identify, she didn’t go the Springsteen route and cancel a show in protest. She didn’t ape Dolly Parton by saying she’ll perform and address the discrimination from the concert stage. Bey donned a T-shirt emblazoned with a subtle message that touts inclusion for everyone (Y’all means all) and issued a statement that endorses Equality NC as part of her Bey GOOD foundation, which encourages the BeyHive to be more charitable and fight against social injustice.
Here’s the Queen Bey’s full statement on the issue:
North Carolina has been drawing the attention of the masses for new legislation that blocks cities and local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures that could protect gay and transgender people.
It all began earlier this year when Charlotte passed a decree expanding North Carolina’s anti-discrimination laws allowing LGBT people protection in places of public accommodation. The ordinance, which was set to go into effect on April 1st, would allow transgender people to use the bathrooms of the gender they identify as, amongst other progressive rights.
Rather than accepting the progression in LGBT rights, that same night, legislators returned to the state house to overrule the ordinance that would ban discrimination against LGBT people. At a special session, North Carolina’s General Assembly proposed and passed the House Bill 2 (HB2) — what has now come to be known as the “Bathroom Bill.”
As The Formation World Tour makes its stop in the Tar Heel state in the midst of such a controversial time, we think it is important for us to bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy.
Among the many organizations doing the good work to get this bill overturned, there is Equality NC, a local organization dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians.
To accomplish these goals, Equality NC tirelessly lobbies the North Carolina General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments, broadcast LGBT news, stories and content, and mobilize our communities on issues that matter, including marriage equality, parental rights, inclusive anti-bullying policies, employment discrimination, hate violence, privacy rights, sexuality education, adoption, domestic partnerships, and HIV/AIDS.
Learn more about how you can support Equality NC by donating, volunteering, becoming an ambassador, attending an event, or simply spreading the word!
Learn more about Equality NC on their website, Facebook or Twitter and shop their merch here.
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
Her publicist released a generic statement after she got paid. As always she’s as fake as her weave.
Masc Pride
This is all just more Lemonade promotion. Heard it’s tanking.
Brian
Does anybody really believe that these are Beyonce’s own words? They seem too coherent.
Franklin
@Masc Pride: Tanking? I guess this must be a misprint then.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/may/04/beyonce-chart-record-lemonade-top-100
I think it’s funny that people are so set on believing that Beyoncé is at point in her career where she needs promotional schemes. Her and her husband have a combined net worth of over $1 billion dollars. I think they doing pretty good on money. Maybe, just maybe she actually wanted to say something about this issue.
lykeitiz
@IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou: You are SO right about that!
And what is with Queerty saying that “when word reached her royal ears, she didn’t go the Springsteen route and cancel a show”?
How insulting to someone who actually did something for our community! How unbelievably shallow to diss a man who took a financial hit on our behalf, only to praise Beyoncé for “issuing a statement”. Pearl Jam & Springsteen made headlines for cancelling, bringing attention to the matter. Cyndi Lauper did the same by donating all her profits from her NC shows to LGBT charities. But Beyoncé and Dolly Parton? Just blah blah blah! Say a few words to look good, but cash that paycheck!
And you @Franklin: only make the point stronger with your statement. She DOESN’T need the money!
Brian
@Franklin: I don’t remember Beyonce saying anything to support homosexual rights when Houston voted for an anti-homosexual ordinance recently. Houston is her home town, isn’t it?
Masc Pride
@Franklin: The way she released the project explains that distinction. However, even that link states only one song cracked Top 10. Might be a triumph for a new artist but not so much for a big name. It apparently didn’t do what was expected. Also read Drake outsold her in one day.
Did Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’ Album Flop? Low First-Week Sales Despite ‘Formation’ Social Media Hype:
http://www.inquisitr.com/3056214/did-beyonces-lemonade-album-flop-low-first-week-sales-despite-formation-social-media-hype/
Beyoncé SHOCKS With Low Album Sales For ‘Lemonade,’ Cancels Upcoming Concert:
http://radaronline.com/celebrity-news/beyonce-lemonade-cancels-nashville-concert-ticket-album-sales/
Franklin
Queerty’s commenting rules are very restrictive.
joeyty
@lykeitiz: “How insulting to someone who actually did something for our community! How unbelievably shallow to diss a man who took a financial hit on our behalf, only to praise Beyoncé for “issuing a statement”.” You’re right about that. The Queerty clowns get even more clownish day by day. They praise those who couldn’t care less about gays and put down true gay allies.
Uppity
Beyonce’s latest string of concerts are far from selling out. Entire stadium sections on the her Formation World Tour have gone unsold, including at several shows in the coming fortnight.
Franklin
Well, a number of white people did lose their minds over her Formation video and super bowl performance, claiming it was somehow anti-police. Maybe this is the backlash. Yet and still, I don’t think she’ll be going broke anytime soon.
DCguy
So she didn’t cancel. I would believe the sentiment more if she went the Cyndi Lauper route and donated the money from her NC concert to pro LGBT charities. But the person worth 100 times what Lauper is apparently needs the money.
Louis
Donating the proceedings from her concert to LGBT organizatons like the Trevor Project for example would have made a much more powerful statement then some generic response from her publicist.
Black Pegasus
Why all the hate? At the very least, she’s another prominent voice stacking the deck against a blatant law that allows businesses to discriminate. Where is Elton John and the rest of your heroes on this issue? Is he partying with Rush Limblah at another wedding reception? Some of you are consistently miserable.
luvit00
for all the fans Beyonce has in the LGBTQ community who have supported her $$$ throughout her career she has done next to nothing whether public statements or actions supporting our community #teamMadonna… who going back to the 1980’s when it was truly controversial and risky for your career, Madonna was and still is a heroic and visible staunch supporter for our community through her $$$$ and actions!
pisces-boi
I’m a gay man who gives no fucks bout gay rights. I wish the Lgbt crew would stop bitching about how hard they have, and realize how good they have in this country. Last time i check no one is being put to death for being gay.
pisces-boi
My advice to ALL entertainer is to stick to what you’re good at and stop concerning yourself with a pointless social issue that doesn’t really matter. If the LGBT community can’t handle how others feel and what others believe in then that their problem, and not your.
Masc Pride
Have to agree with pisces-boi on that second comment. While I think Beyonce’s motivations here are faker than the hair sewn into her head, it’s not her responsibility as an artist to take any action. These artists who are pulling out of shows in NC are inadvertently penalizing their NC fans who have nothing to do with the bathroom laws.
pisces-boi
I’m a gay man who gives no fucks about gay rights. I wish the Lgbt crew would stop bitching about how hard they have it, and realize how good they have it in this country. Last time I check no one is being put to death for being gay in America. She is damn if she does, and damn if she doesn’t; however, I still like her as an artist.
iamdjmichael
Some of you really are miserable. You complain when people don’t publicly support LGBT people and then when they do in their way, you pick it apart saying they could be doing XYZ. Maybe you all should redirect your anger to people who are actually anti-LGBT it might make a bigger impact. Thank you Beyonce for finally releasing a statement about LGBT rights.
rmarin776
What’s up with the gay men on here who “give no fucks about gay rights”? You all are SO lucky that people DID give a fuck about gay rights, when putting themselves in harms way was much more dangerous than it is today. If you can’t do the same for the next generation, shame on you.