Years ago, I found Taylor Swift’s LGBTQ allyship to be too little, too late – she basically only started talking about her allyship years after gay marriage became legal and after many, many pop stars and musicians had already done a lot to support gay rights. She seemed like she was bandwagoning onto a popular and “safe” political issue rather than leading on it. But we’re in a different era now, an LGBTQ-backlash era, where right-wing bigots are empowered and anti-trans legislation is the gateway drug for states to declare themselves the New Gilead. LGBTQ books are being censored and there’s a backlash against safe spaces for queer people. So it actually means something when Taylor says something for Pride Month in the year of our lord Beyonce 2023:

During her Chicago stop of her Eras Tour on Friday evening, Taylor Swift took a moment to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at the start of Pride Month, speaking out against America’s growing wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation.

“I wish that every place was safe and beautiful for people in the LGBTQ community,” said Swift. The singer-songwriter continued by sharing that she notices fans who are living “authentically and beautifully” and wants them to know that her shows are a “safe, celebratory space” for them.

Swift’s speech took place after her performance of “You Need to Calm Down,” with the singer thanking the arena of fans who passionately sang along to the song’s pro-LGBTQ lyrics.

While Swift celebrated the community, she reminded the concert-goers, “We can’t talk about pride without talking about pain.”

“Right now and in recent years, there have been so many harmful pieces of legislation that have put people in the LGBTQ and queer community at risk. It’s painful for everyone. Every ally, every loved one, every person in these communities,” said Swift. Swift reminded the arena that these issues motivate her to stay vocal during election cycles. “That’s why I’m always posting, ‘This is when the midterms are’ and ‘This is when these important key primaries are.’” Swift then proposed her fans ask candidates, “‘Are they advocates? Are they allies? Are they protectors of equality? Do I want to vote for them?’” before heading to the ballot box.

Swift then concluded her speech telling the crowd, “I love you guys so much and happy Pride Month.”

[From Variety]

Good for her. Truly. I think there are so many people – not specific to one generation – who got sort of complacent, or believed that the American society would just continue to make strides in LGBTQ rights without any significant backlash. Some of those complacent people might be Taylor Swift fans, and some of Taylor’s fans might simply be too young or too out-of-touch to believe that these issues affect them. Props to her for using her platform.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s boyfriend Matt Healy kissed a male security guard while The 1975 performed a concert in Denmark over the weekend. An ally in his own way, I guess.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.