Taylor Swift took to her piano in Chicago on Friday night to call out anti-LGBTQIA+ government legislation. June 2nd marked the second day of Pride month.
The 33-year-old “cowboy like me” singer’s speech is especially poignant during this Pride Month; The ACLU is tracking the advancement of nearly 500 bills by United States lawmakers targeting LGBTQ rights.
Swift’s speech last night is not the first time she has used her platform to speak out against US lawmakers and their agendas.
‘Swifties’ will likely remember her passionate conversation with her team, included in the 2020 Netflix documentary “Miss. Americana,” wherein she tearfully explains why she felt it was important to use her platform to call out lawmakers’ actions then; Donald Trump was President at the time, and Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn’s seat in the Senate was up. Blackburn would end up keeping her seat.
Before we dig into Swift’s passionate speech last night, let’s look back at her notable political endorsement.
Swift Took Instagram to Explain Her Reasons For Voting Against A Notable Tennessee Lawmaker
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In October 2018, Swift posted a sepia-toned Polaroid to Instagram, and in the caption, she outlined why Blackburn would not be earning her vote.
In a lengthy letter to her fans, she wrote, “…In the past, I’ve been reluctant to voice my political opinions publicly, but due to several events in my life and the world during the last two years, I feel very differently about that now. I will always vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening, and prevalent…”
Swift would explain a bit of background into Marsha Blackburn and her policies.
“…As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date r*pe,” the “coney island” singer continued. “She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values…”
Swift Also Wrote An Open Letter To Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander A Year Later
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In the summer of 2019, Swift wrote an open letter to Tennessee’s Lamar Alexander (R), persuading him to vote for the Equality Act. This act would protect LGBTQ rights in the workplace.
According to our report, Swift wrote, “For American citizens to be denied jobs and housing based on who they love or how they identify, in my opinion, is un-American and cruel.”
The “Hits Different” singer would also end her letter by persuading Alexander to think about the consequences of his vote.
Swift Commemorated Pride Month During Her Chicago Show On June 2nd
🏳️🌈| Taylor Swift talking about #PrideMonth
— “Happy pride month everyone! (…) This is a safe space for you, this is a celebratory space for you! I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community.” #ChicagoTSTheErasTour
pic.twitter.com/SQcBRJzOYr
— Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNZ) June 3, 2023
Taking a moment to address thousands of Swifties in the Chicago audience, Swift assured her LGBTQIA+ attendees of their value and expressed the validity of their existence.
She told the audience, “I’m looking out tonight, seeing so many incredible individuals living authentically and beautifully, and this is a safe space for you. This is a celebratory space for you.”
The “Lover” singer continued, “One of the things that makes me so prideful is getting to be with you, and watching you interact with each other, and being so thoughtful, and so caring…”
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Swift also gave a shout-out to the allies in the audience by expressing her happiness over their support, exceptionally while she performed 2019’s “You Need To Calm Down.”
“You guys are screaming those lyrics in such solidarity, in such support of one another, in such encouraging, beautiful, acceptance, and peace and safety. And I wish that every place was beautiful and safe for beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community…” she went on to say. (per TODAY)
