We love our straight allies. We need our straight allies. We welcome them with open arms.
That being said…
Pride season has so much mainstream momentum these days that the root message of queer liberation can easily drift away like a rainbow-shaped ballon untethered from its parade float.
British newspaper the London Evening Standard is learning that lesson the hard way after a Pride feature hit newsstands to a less-than-stellar reception from many readers.
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In the piece, titled “Becks and Payne reveal what makes them glow with Pride in honour of annual parade”, the voices of straight stars are featured more prominently than those of the LGBTQ interviewees.
The article’s opening paragraph names several straight celebs — Liam Payne, David Beckham, Pharrell Williams, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell — speaking out “in support of Pride in London.”
The next paragraph quotes Payne; the third, Beckham.
Payne’s quote, a perfectly lovely sentiment, has virtually nothing to do with the struggle for LGBTQ folks to gain a footing in the world.
“I think since I’ve had a little boy,” he said, “everything changes in life. I’m aiming more for him to be prouder of me, and already he’s making me a better man, which I think is incredible.”
Only then does the piece mention LGBTQ participants, out radio personality Nick Grimshaw and Elton John among them.
GayStarNews shared some of the criticism the piece has received.
One reader, Chris Mandle, tweeted a photo of the newspaper with the word “really.”
Really pic.twitter.com/Ghf7BU47ZC
— Chris Mandle (@chris_mandle) June 25, 2018
He wrote: “Worth pointing out this campaign is raising money for the Albert Kennedy Trust, which is a brilliant cause helping tackle LGBTQ+ homelessness. But come onnnnnnn. The quotes alone tell you Liam Payne has nothing significant to say about the LGBTQ community.”
Worth pointing out this campaign is raising money for the Albert Kennedy Trust, which is a brilliant cause helping tackle LGBTQ+ homelessness. But come onnnnnnn. The quotes alone tell you Liam Payne has nothing significant to say about the LGBTQ community.
— Chris Mandle (@chris_mandle) June 25, 2018
Another commenter, Twitter user Jurrasic JP, added: “I’m all for allies vocalising their support but understand what you’re supporting. It’s not about making your children proud of you. It’s about rights you will never understand. It’s about equality you have. Check your privilege @LiamPayne and please do some research on #Pride.”
Other responses struck a more sarcastic tone: “When’s straight Pride?” asked Casper Salmon. “Don’t worry, it’s now, it’s literally now! Enjoy!”
Godabed
Queerty you need to stop, you do the exact same thing. why majority of the straight people you put on your site are on here, I don’t even know.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Liam Payne the little prick who sided with those scumbag hillbillies duck dynasty in their rants against Gays…
Donston
People tend to forget that.
jjose712
I would love to know what’s his relationship with Tom Daley now. They used to be besties before Tom’s coming out
Tête Carrée
Wow, what a F-ing prick hole and attention hypocrite, I mean whore.
broadshoulder
The London Evening Standard is a despicable paper. The same paper who damned Linda Belos for being a lesbian in its pages. It just shows that the straight press has no idea of how to deal with gay issues
And I am sorry, but I remember a time when the LES was downright homophobic
RexRed
80% of the population is bi… So just because someone is not gay or lesbian does not mean they are not an equal part of pride…