Demi Lovato emphatically comes out swinging for trans rights, vowing to fight for kids and queer people of colour
Demi filmed her music video for “Really Don’t Care” at LA Pride (demi lovato/youtube)
Demi Lovato pledged to fight for trans youth amid the current “crazy” political climate as she presented at the GLAAD Media Awards Thursday night (30 July).
According to contactmusic, Lovato, 27, shared a spirited vow of support to the trans communities during the virtual ceremony. The singer rallied for people to “fight” for not only trans youth, but trans people of colour who, activists say, are facing an “epidemic” of violence not seen since records began.
Trans homicides, a top LGBT+ charity said, have reached the highest pace ever in the US where at least 21 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been killed by violent means so far this year – nearly matching 2019’s total of 27.
Demi Lovato: ‘Keep your voices loud and strong and know that we are fighting for you.’
The “Sober” hitmaker said before introducing Shea Diamond onto the virtual stage: ”It’s never been more important to celebrate the acceleration of acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community especially trans people of colour who face outrageous discrimination and danger.
”To all the trans youth, I want to make sure that you know that you matter.
Demi Lovato performs the national anthem at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
”I know things are crazy hard right now and you may not have your usual support system around you.
”But don’t let anyone especially our government fool you into thinking you are anything less than perfect and meant to be.
”Be proud of who you are. Keep your voices loud and strong and know that we are fighting for you.
”If you ever doubt it, just listen to this next performer.”
In the US, as trans homicides skyrocket while the government whittles away LGBT+ rights, Trump says he’s an ‘ally’.
It also comes as the Trump administration steadily and stealthily chips away at some of the bedrocks of LGBT+ equality in the US.
The president has spearheaded several campaigns to rollback rights across federally-supplied services, such as in adoption, employment, healthcare and education, as well as stonewalling trans people from joining the military and erased LGBT+ resources, data and language from government websites.
Donald Trump holds an LGBT+ Pride flag given to him by supporter. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)
All the while, Trump’s aides and allies have pedalled a perception of the president as an “ally” to the queer community. The White House claimed Trump has a “great record” on LGBT+ issues.
Just last month the Republican Party announced that it would be leaving its 2016 party platform unchanged, meaning that the GOP will continue to officially support the reversal of marriage equality.
