Harry Styles gives emotional speech paying tribute to LGBTQ+ victims of Oslo shooting
Harry Styles encouraged fans at his concert at the Telenor Arena to spread love as he paid tribute to the victims of the deadly mass shooting in Oslo, Norway. (Twitter/@polygraphsandra)
Harry Styles got emotional during a concert as he paid a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the deadly mass shooting outside an LGBTQ+ club in Oslo, Norway.
The singer took to the stage on Friday (1 July) and expressed his devastation after two people were killed and at least 21 people were wounded in the attack in the Norwegian capital.
A gunman opened fire in three locations in the city’s nightlife district – including at the London Pub, one of the city’s largest LGBTQ+ venues – in the early morning hours of 25 June. The deadly mass shooting is being treated by authorities as a terrorist attack, and a 42-year-old man has been arrested as a suspect.
Styles, who has a beautiful and loving relationship with the LGBTQ+ community, addressed the shooting in an emotional speech during his show at the Telenor Arena.
“I am well aware that, right now, this means more to you than it ever has before,” Styles said, holding a rainbow LGBTQ+ flag up to the crowd.
“I just wanna tell you that I’m very sorry, and I hope you all feel safe in here with each other.”
Harry Styles thanked his fans for having the “honour” of performing in front of them. The English singer added that the thing he is “most proud of” in his life is “getting to play in front of such an incredible, loving group of people every night”.
🏳️🌈🤍
proud pic.twitter.com/RK5JKSRXvP
— sandra 𖤐༺ (@sykobludd) July 1, 2022
“The atmosphere that you’ve created here, allowing people to feel safe and to be themselves, and I know that in difficult times it is hard to feel like you can make a difference,” he said.
Styles continued: “And I promise you that each and every single one of you make a difference by the small choices, the tiny choices that you make every day to be that little bit kinder to someone, to do that little bit extra for someone – it makes the difference.”
He also told fans that there are “old people” in the world, but he promised that they “don’t stand a chance against” them because “this room of people” is “the future”. Styles encouraged fans to spread love and “be kind more” because it “makes a difference” in the world.
“I love you so much. I thank you for allowing me to do this,” Harry Styles said. “I encourage you – even in the darkest times – to love more, to give more, to embrace more, be kind more and I promise you it makes a difference.”
The suspect, who has been identified as Zaniar Matapour, was arrested within just three minutes of the tragedy. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts.
Matapour remains in custody and has refused to offer any explanation to investigators.
Norway’s LGBTQ+ has remained defiant in the face of the mass shooting as thousands marched along Rosenkrantz towards the London Pub in a “spontaneous” Pride parade.
The silent march turned into a joyous celebration of the queer community. One marcher said that seeing people “crying, cheering and being courageous to go to the streets” was the “most beautiful thing” to witness.
