(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Beyoncé’s YouTube Account)
GLAAD announced Monday morning that the Carters—Beyoncé and Jay-Z—will be honored with the Vanguard Award at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 28, 2019.
The aforementioned event is conducted to “honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues.” GLAAD’s Vanguard Award, on the other hand, “is presented to allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people.”
According to GLAAD, “Beyoncé and JAY-Z are longtime allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community who use their global platforms to share messages that inspire and change the world for the better.”
Let’s take a look back at the ways in which Beyoncé and JAY-Z supported the LGBTQ+ community.
- They openly supported marriage equality. Back in 2012 when President Obama just endorsed same-sex marriage, JAY-Z was asked about his thoughts on it and he said, “I think it’s the right thing to do. It’s not about votes. It’s about people. It’s the right thing to do as a human being.” Meanwhile, Beyoncé posted this message below for her millions of followers on Instagram.
- Beyoncé dedicated ‘Halo’ in honor of Orlando Pulse shooting victims during her “The Formation World Tour.”
- Beyoncé’s music video for All Night featured same-sex couples.
- JAY-Z wrote and sang a song called “Smile” with the lines: “Mama had four kids, but she’s a lesbian / Had to pretend so long that she’s a thespian.” Smile served as her mom’s—Gloria Carter—coming out song.
- Beyoncé supports transgender rights. In 2017, actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox was announced as the face of Beyoncé’s Ivy Park clothing line.
In 2017, during the wake of Trump’s plan to rescind civil rights protecting trans students, Queen Bey urged her followers to let “#LGBTQ students know we support them” and to “share support to #protecttransyouth at glsen.org/100days & put #KindnessInAction GLSEN.”
Do you know any other instances when the Carters showed their support for the LGBT community? Comment below!
All that being said, another event will be held in New York City on Saturday, May 4, where GLAAD will honor Madonna with the Advocate for Change Award.
YUCK