Beyoncé is not a new arrival on the social justice scene. 12 months ago it was discovered that she and her husband Jay-Z were donating thousands of money to unfairly imprisoned police brutality protesters in Ferguson and Baltimore. The year before that, Bey low-key gave $7 million to the homeless population of her Houston hometown. However it’s not so secret that the superstar has become more outspoken in her condemnation of unjust violence and oppression. Her #blackwomanmagic audiovisual album Lemonade — featuring the damning anti-police brutality anthem “Formation” alongside the families of victims Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner — is the most unapologetic example. Now Queen Bey is turning her attention to another persecuted community: LGBT people in North Carolina.
In a powerful blog post on her website today, Beyoncé adds her voice to those condemning the anti-LGBT legislation currently sweeping the southeastern state. “North Carolina has been drawing the attention of the masses for new legislation that blocks cities and local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures that could protect gay and transgender people,” she wrote, citing the refusal of Charlotte to recognize the rights of transgender citizens to use restroom facilities that corresponds to their gender identity. “As The Formation World Tour makes its stop in the Tar Heel state in the midst of such a controversial time,” she writes, “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.”
Beyoncé is now aligning herself with with Equality NC, “a local organization dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians,” to get the bill overturned. The organization is currently lobbying North Carolina officials and mobilizing the LGBT community — or anyone with common human decency — by broadcasting news on issues including marriage equality, inclusive anti-bullying policies, hate violence, privacy rights, sexuality education, and HIV/AIDS. The Lemonade legend is even helping to sling Equality NC’s “Y’all Means All” t-shirts — possibly the only shirts in circulation right now more important than her own amazing “Boycott Beyoncé” ones.
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Image via Instagram