A new Instagram post from former One Direction member Liam Payne, on the heels of his new solo single “Strip That Down,” voices his solidarity with the LGBTQ community in the wake of Donald Trump‘s announcement that he’s banning transgender people from serving in the military “in any capacity.”
He’s only the latest celebrity to come out in opposition to the impromptu ban, which so far the Pentagon has made no steps to reinforce.
Related: Here’s how to see Liam Payne in his birthday suit
Payne’s post has already been liked over 337,000 times, despite being a simple quote from Thomas Jefferson alongside the hashtag #lgbtqrights.
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Here’s the quote:
“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men and women are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
After an ornery “fan” suggested he should steer clear of American politics due to his British nationality, Payne wrote:
“I have a house there and pay taxes but it’s not about that it’s about support for a community that deserves the right to live the dream of serving they’re (sic) country if that’s what they desire”
Now shut up, ornery Liam Payne fan.
Donston
But wasn’t he just defending homophobia and (I believe, I’m not certain) trans-phobic crap just a couple years ago? Maybe it’s maturity and a greater understanding? Or maybe it’s the backlash, and the desire to get pink and trans coins and fans, and the desire to post something that he knows will get a ton of press. I mean the dude is getting shirtless everywhere nowadays. So, the desperation is obvious.
I hate being that cynical. But this the way the world works, particularly the entertainment industry.
jcoberkrom
BRAVO!
Kangol
Good for him. Meanwhile, on one day, as the New York Times reports today, the Trump administration attacked LGBTQ people:
1) Trump banned trans people from the military, without telling the military brass first;
2) Sessions and the Justice Department claimed Title VII doesn’t protect gay people from job discrimination, potentially affecting millions of people; and
3) Trump nominated a rabidly anti-gay Republican as the Ambassador to the Netherlands.
Do you think you can report a bit more on these real-time, US issues that harm LGBTQ people? Please?
Mack
And yesterday announced appointing Governor Brownback of Kansas as Ambassador of Religion. Sounds like a post that Hitler would dream up.
KaiserVonScheiss
Title VII doesn’t mention anything about sexual orientation, only discrimination based on sex.
The law should be interpreted as it is written. It is the job of congress to write the laws, not judges or executive agencies. Agencies are only empowered to act within the confines of the law.
I agree that the law should change, but it should be done by congress.
crowebobby
He’s 16 or 17 in that photo. There aren’t enough OMG’s on the entire Internet to express what the photo does to me!
Xzamilloh
Okay, Herbert from Family Guy… calm down.
JaredMacBride
No one had an inalienable right to serve in the military. But British boys do have a right to pander to part of their audience by spouting political nonsense.
Me2
No, not an inalienable right but an EQUAL right. In what capacity are transgendered people less capable of serving?
frankg
Way 2 go Liam….. Thank you!!!
Me2
If the straights only knew just how transphobic the gays really are.
Donston
There’s trans-phobia among “the gays”, homophobia among the trans (especially the ones who resent effeminate men and masculine women who do not see themselves as the opposite gender) and so on. I’ve learned that people are just a-holes. And it doesn’t matter who they are there will always be a percentage of every demo filled with liars, deceivers and crazies.
Donston
Also, this site is hardly a general representation of anyone. And once again, I highly doubt Liam is driven by anything other than wanting press. He’s said some anti-lgbt things in the past and hasn’t corrected himself. Now he posts some well-worn quote during to perfect time to do so and while pushing his recently released debut single.