Beyonce Speaks Out Against North Carolina's Anti-LGBQT Bill
Middle fingers up, put them hands high
If you’ve been keeping track, in recent months, Beyonce has definitively denounced “police brutality and injustice” in Elle magazine, made a mockery of those same law enforcers (who planned to protest her impending shows) with tongue-in-cheek tour merchandise that reads “Boycott Beyonce,” and refused to let her “freedom rot in hell” on Lemonade. So it should come as no surprise that her slow but sure formation (ha!) into full-blown activist has reared its head again. And proudly.
The singer may have performed in Raleigh, North Carolina last night as part of her World Tour, but she made it clear that her presence doesn’t signify support of the state’s recent passage of an anti-LGBTQ law. House Bill 2, or the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, bans transgender people from using bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities that do not match their “biological sex” listed on their birth certificate.
In a letter on her website, Beyonce states: “We think it is important for us to bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy.” She then calls attention to, and encourages her fans to volunteer with, Equality NC, a local organization that “tirelessly lobbies the North Carolina General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments, broadcast LGBT news, stories and content, and mobilize our communities on issues that matter, including marriage equality, parental rights, inclusive anti-bullying policies, employment discrimination, hate violence, privacy rights, sexuality education, adoption, domestic partnerships, and HIV/AIDS.”