After speaking at a vigil honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting held outside of the Stonewall Inn in New York City Monday night, Nick Jonas was scrutinized for taking the focus away from the queer lives, many who were people of color, that the event was created to hold space for.
“This is not a time for straight allies to take up space — especially if you’re an ally who just dropped an album three days ago,” read an op-ed on HuffPo. The sentiment across social media from those in attendance echoed this viewpoint.
In a recent appearance on Andy Cohen‘s Watch What Happens Live, Jonas revealed that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo personally invited him to lend his voice to the event, refuting the idea that his attendance was somehow connected to seeking publicity for his album.
Here’s what Nick said:
“I think at the core, this is a humungous tragedy that affected so many lives and my heart was broken for the victims and their families. So I looked at my team and said ’Listen, I’m in town, I’d love to lend my voice in any way I can and be a part of it in any way possible.’
And so Governor Cuomo asked me to speak…I didn’t prepare anything I just got up and spoke from the heart.
…
I was surrounded by the LGBT community at an early age and really built a lot of great friendships. My father said right away to me, ’Love it love, we’re all equal, we deserve love, and to be loved by who we want to be loved by.’ It shaped my view and so I’ve tried to be an ally and do what I can to raise my voice in moments when there is tragedy that strikes, not only for the LGBT community but also for America.”
He never addressed the criticism directly, but you can tell he’s eager to let everyone know he was coming from a place of good intentions.
We don’t see any reason to believe otherwise.
h/t NNN
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
It’s just bitter queens that want him bitching because they can’t have him. No one ever complains when a woman like Gaga does the same thing.
Caine
My initial reaction was “What was he doing there?” But I saw him on Watch What Happens the other night and I believed him. I think it was well-intentioned.
iggy6666
This should be a complete non issue. Those who are offended must be digging awfully deep to find anything of substance to complain about..
Brian
Huffington Post is a garbage web site in my opinion. It is patronizing, self-righteous and moronic. I don’t read it anymore.
Some of the worst headlines I’ve ever read are in Huffington Post. Sort of like “5 things you really need to know” or “this is so cute it will make you cry”. Excuse me, but who is Huffington Post to tell me what I really need to know or what I find cute. Morons.
As for Nick Jonas, at least he was there. Where were Beyonce and Dolly Parton? Madonna? Britney Spears?
Malibu Eric
If we are talking more about Nick Jonas than homophobia and gun laws in relation to the Orlando massacre then we are not having the right conversation.
Billy Budd
@Malibu Eric: OK, now I believe in the boy. Initially, I was suspecting he had selfish reasons. But I agree with you that we should focus on Gun Control and homophobia.
Brian
@Billy Budd: We should also concentrate on Islam and its backward beliefs. Don’t deny it, Billy Budd.
Cee
I dunno. I like Nick Jonas…..so I might have some blinders on when it comes to him. I wish he would have said more though.
Me2
He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. He doesn’t have to be a part of the affected community in order to show empathy and compassion…it’s called being human!!!! Furthermore, LGBT people permeate every aspect of life and have touched the lives of many, many people in positive ways. We are absolutely worthy and deserving of the out pouring of love and support from any and everyone who wants to give it.
Bob LaBlah
Where the hell was he at when trans-people were being murdered left and right in the not too distant past? I blame his publicist and his bad judgement not to object to this obviously poor taste publicity stunt.
Bob LaBlah
@Bob LaBlah: Just curious but does anyone know if Brucie J. (you know damn well who I am talking about) has said anything yet? I bet “it” hasn’t but just curious if anyone knows if HE has.
Captain Obvious
Considering how much gay baiting and pandering he’s been doing is he really surprised there was backlash? I actually like the guy, bought an album to support him, and I don’t really think he shouldn’t have been there… but I don’t think he should’ve been front and center distracting from the true point of the event.
GameBoy
@Me2: Wise choice of words, Just the irony of the many gays not accepting Mr.Jones here, is so hypocritical in many levels…
MMMBacon
i love Nick Jonas hes a great straight ally …whiny sjw in the lgbt community can shut their annoying mouths
nowliveit
I’m somewhat skeptical of stars and performers grandstanding to niches for self promotion but I believe he is genuine and lending his heart and words. He seems to be sincere, to me. Hopefully my senses are right.
Sure he self-promotes. Why are stars invited to clubs? But he also seems to lend a hand when needed or to help us. I think there’s value for him and for our community that a straight, good-looking successful man shows the straight world that it’s ok to be comfortable with us.
Alistair Wiseman
Only in liberal land does someone have to explain their basic humanity to other liberals when you don’t have the right skin color, genitalia, sexual orientation, etc.
martinbakman
Gay baiting used to mean leading a gay men on and then suddenly turning on them, whether it was the police arresting them, or a basher beating the sh!t out of them. So the modern use of queer baiting of gay baiting is a bit overly dramatic. We do sound like a bunch of bitter queens.
Celebrities like Nick Jonas are so much more refreshing then the ones that play gay roles and then constantly report that they ARE a Christian. That’s when it really sounds fvcked up.
Dave Downunder
Sadly for celebrities like Nick it is a case of damned of you and damned if you don’t. Personally I think it is great that he wants to put his weight behind the gay community on so many issues. I don’t perceive him as a gay baiter at all. Gay baiters usually disappear from the gay agenda landscape pretty quickly once they have promoted their latest project. Nick seems to be somewhat more consistent than that. Let’s give the guy the benefit of the doubt.
argleflarglebargle
This is the weird thing about our community, we spend decades hoping for allies to stand with us and the second one does (And a pretty famous one at that) they’re vilified for being there. I don’t care if he is gay baiting, it doesn’t matter, not even 20 years ago a male musician Nick’s age couldn’t have said “I support gay people” and still kept a career of any kind. We have allies, he is one of them and has been consistently on our side no matter what. He’s been in gay bars to celebrate with us, he’s been there when we needed him and he’s here now for us. Instead of treating him like shit, maybe, just maybe, we could thank him for even turning up in the first place because many others wouldn’t
DCguy
He messed up. He said he told his people he wanted to do something. And then coincidentally the governor calls him?! How would Cuomo even know him? And you’re telling me he was ahead of say, Neil Patrick Harris etc…. on the list? Nice try Nick. You seem like a good guy, but the story didn’t lay out believably.
Sluggo2007
I hardly doubt this type of publicity would help his album sales. What a bunch of bitter old queens. I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again. People of color will bitch about anything. They’re never satisfied with any situation. Then, they wonder why they’re criticized.
Gary_Gans
@Caine: Nicely said, Caine. I was also a bit taken off guard by it, but I do not believe that there was any malice by him.
Gary_Gans
@Alistair Wiseman: Alistair, could you please stop grandstanding this issue, and using pathetic generalisations about some that are upset at this moment? Shit stirring and name calling is frankly pathetic and heartless, and you appear to be quite eager to paint those that you presume are Liberal as a platform to use your criticism of someone that doesn’t share your views.
You’re on Queerty, not at a Trump rally.
Chris
@Malibu Eric: True, dat!
DCguy
@Sluggo2007: stated: “I hardly doubt this type of publicity would help his album sales. What a bunch of bitter old queens. I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again. People of color will bitch about anything. They’re never satisfied with any situation. Then, they wonder why they’re criticized.”
—–
So 49 “queens” and “people of color” are slaughtered and you attack and insult them because of….what? You’re some Jonas fangurl? Have fun at your next Klan meeting.
Masc Pride
IDK. His story about Cuomo apparently sensing that he wanted to “honor” the Pulse victims is a little hard to believe. Celebrities are robots always looking for ways to boost their brands. He wanted his name to be involved, so his PR team contacted Cuomo and arranged it just like a tour. I don’t doubt that he wanted to do something to show his support and express his condolences, but maybe Nick should’ve taken a moment to realize that the Orlando massacre isn’t about Nick Jonas. A public statement (actually written by him) showing support and sympathy would’ve been more than enough and would’ve been far less imposing.
It is rather interesting how pop musicians always become Mother Theresa when they have a new project to push. This kind of reminds me of Beyonce going to WalMart to give out gift cards…just after her surprise CD was released.
AtticusBennett
it’s very simple: Nick Jonas is not to blame. he’s a good man with his heart in the right place.
The folks who decided that a straight white male should be the one to speak at a vigil for the murders of mostly-non-white LGBT people are to blame. It was a total miscalculation.
a vigil at the historic Stonewall Inn to honour and mourn the losses of mostly-non-white LGBT lives best serves those most-affected by it by having FAMILY SPEAK TO FAMILY.
ALL ALLIES can show up. ALL ALLIES can take part, and be a in the masses with us, grieving and mourning together.
But having him speak, while not his own fault, was a tone-deaf choice.
when i was at the Black Lives Matter rally in toronto, i (and other white people were (politely and respectfully) asked to not crowd the front of the rally. Because it wasn’t a movement about white people. I COMPLETELY agreed, and took my place further back (id’ arrived earlier and had been nearer to the front)
what happened next? TWO news crews approached me, to ask me “How i felt as a white man, being asked to go to the back?”
i was livid. LIVID. not with being asked to go to the back, but with the fact that here i was at a Black Lives Matter rally and suddenly TWO news networks wanted to ask me, a WHITE MAN, how i felt as a WHITE MAN, about being asked to stand closer to the back of a rally for Black Lives.
i told them both this: “I’m insulted that you asked me that. I’m here to support the black community, and if what they need from me is to get to the back and allow the people who are being targeted by oppression to be near the front, then that is what I’ll do. That’s what an ally does; they listen to the people the want to be allies to. They do what they’re asked to do.”
and then i let loose a few dozen F-bombs about how disgusting it was that they were now turning this moment for Black Lives into “white people’s issues” which ensured neither interview would make it to air.
gaybygod
When we loose focus of who are allies are, start putting “exclusive” labels upon our selves, and placing people in groups … THE SHOOTER, won! What one sows, so shall they reap.
courthousedoc
@AtticusBennett: Exactly right. We aren’t doubting he is an ally and maybe a tremendous one. But this was neither the time nor the place. Speaking time at events like this is a zero sum game. And if he spoke it took time away from someone else who would better reflect the community. And if we had an ally speak, why him? Is he the biggest and best there is? Or is it because he is pretty? And if one ally, why not five. Or 10? Who draws the line on who is important as an ally? I have no doubt Nick Jonas we sincere and was there for us. But that was not the place and that was not the time.
Southstguy
@AtticusBennett: best. comment. ever.
How sad is it that Titus Burgess (an out celebrity of color) was there and spoke but all any media cares about is Nick Nick Nick?
Kieran
Imagine the howls of “RACISM” if the victims of the massacre were mainly white and someone actually suggested that meant no black people should be allowed to speak at the vigil. The very idea would be roundly denounced and rightly so. Whatever happened to the goal of creating a color blind society? It seems many libs want just the opposite of that.
Message to other straight allies: Don’t try to lend support to the temperamental gay community. You’ll end up having to explain yourself.
klaw
I like this guy….buhhhht,he doesn’t come off as completely genuine to me.
“I think at the core, this is a humungous tragedy that
affected so many lives and my heart was broken for the
victims and their families. So I looked at my team and
said ’Listen, I’m in town, I’d love to lend my voice in any
way I can and be a part of it in any way possible.’
And so Governor Cuomo asked me to speak…I didn’t
prepare anything I just got up and spoke from the heart.
…
Outta all d people to ask to speak/sing its nick? N that above doesn’t sound just right to me.
Alistair Wiseman
@Gary_Gans:
Spoken like a true leftist: We don’t agree we you, so we will try and shut down the free and open dialogue of debate.
Rob91316
The hypocrisy over this is just astounding! We’ve bitched and complained forever that we don’t have enough people in the heterosexual world championing our community, and now that we have one who has made it his mission to use his pop stardom to champion LGBTQ equality we give him shit for it! I wish there’d been someone like Nick Jonas when I was growing up in a Republican, Catholic household, going on TV every chance he gets to make me feel like less of a marginalized outsider in my own family and in society as a whole.
Treegreen89
Maybe he did mean it (highly doubt it) but it just wasn’t the time nor the place for him to talk about something so tragic. Also his speech come on!!! All he said was I worked in a theater with gay people and I support gay people…… your telling me he couldn’t of tweeted this and left a real speech from real actual lgbt person? Sorry, but his speech is the only tragedy here. it left zero impact.
DavidIntl
While it is much debated exactly how large the LGBT community is, it is pretty clear that we are not a majority. We need allies. It is both morally wrong and pragmatically foolish to push them away…
redzebra1
@IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou: He did the right thing. So did Obama in denouncing the attack and coming to Pulse
tony-e
Read the headline and then read the article. My opinion didn’t change. He doesn’t have to explain to anyone why he was there. The fact that he was there supporting the victims of the shooting, and LGBT community as a whole, is all anyone should need.