10 times straight musicians took a stance for LGBTIQ+ pride

Not all allies wear rainbow capes (but some really do).

Rainbow Flags

Source: Twitter

1. Harry Styles

Former One Direction band member Harry Styles has been a vocal long-term ally for LGBTIQ+ fans, but perhaps never more-so than during his Philadelphia concert last week, where the singer proudly held a large rainbow flag with the text "Make America Gay Again" blazoned across it.
However, fans have taken the inclusive gesture one step further, organising various "rainbow projects" at his concerts, which require fans to shine their mobile phone flashlights through colour-coordinated sheets of cellophane, giving the impact of a large rainbow throughout the audience.
Earlier this month, Styles released a branded with the words ‘Treat People With Kindness’ in rainbow font, with all proceeds going to GLSEN – an American education organisation striving for safe and inclusive schools for LBGTQI youth.

2. Lorde

Following the successful 'Yes' campaign for marriage equality last year, Lorde thrilled fans by draping a large rainbow flag across her shoulders while performing an emotional cover of Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' during her show at the Opera House forecourt.
"I'm very proud of you," the singer said as she finished the tribute.

3. Ariana Grande

A vocal supporter of the LGBTIQ+ community, Ariana Grande has previously opened up about her close relationship with her openly gay brother, Frankie Grande.

"There is nothing more infectious than the joy and love that the LGBTQ community exudes," she wrote for , in celebration of Pride Month this year.

She continued: "I grew up with a gay brother whose every move I would emulate. I idolised him. Everything Frankie did, I would do. I can’t remember a difference between Frankie before he came out and Frankie after he came out. He’s always just been Frankie."
"I was taught to do my makeup by queens in gay bars in New York City," Grande added.

"I made my Broadway debut at 14 years old and did 8 shows a week but there was never a night I was too tired to run to a gay bar and do a quick Whitney cover before bed."

4. Dua Lipa

Pop singer Dua Lipa has been celebrated for her above-and-beyond approach to her LGBTIQ+ fans, with the music video for her 2016 single 'Blow Your Mind' representing her love for "girl power and gay pride".

Speaking to , Lipa said: “I think artists should really use their power and presence on social media to just put it out there and show support."

She continued: “It’s important because different people look up to them, and they should use that voice to their advantage.”
“I feel like I wanted to touch on so many different things, quite serious topics happening in the world, but without making it too political or too serious,” she said, adding: “I wanted to do my form of representation, and to have fun with it."

“There were loads of different things in that video that were about girl power and gay pride and showing support for the [LGBTI] community, as well as just having fun on the day and doing whatever the f**k we wanted.”

5. Ed Sheeran

The British singer has used his platform to support members of the LGBTIQ+ community, particularly during Australia's same-sex marriage postal survey.
"To all the Australians that care about equality and human rights please say YES to same sex marriage," he wrote on social media.

He continued: "Let’s not be silly about this. Vote YES for same sex marriage in Australia,"

6. Adele

Having facilitating same-sex proposals on stage at her concerts, superstar Adele has also made a point of honouring the memory of those who died during the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando.
"I would like to start tonight by dedicating this entire show to everybody in Orlando and at Pulse nightclub last night," Adele said, holding a rainbow flag following the attack.

She added: "The LGBTQ community, they're like my soul mates since I was really young, so I'm very moved by it."

7. Dan Reynolds from Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds has proven that love for the LGBTIQ+ community can co-exist with strong religious faith, with the Mormon singer participating in a documentary called Believe,which explores how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treats its LGBTIQ+ members.
“One of the reasons I’ve felt such a need to speak out on this is I’ve gotten countless emails and letters from fans around the world who said, ‘I’m gay, but I know you’re Mormon so that probably means you don’t accept my lifestyle, but I love ‘It’s Time’ and your music," Reynolds .

He continued: "That was devastating and it broke my heart to get letters like that."

"I’ve written back to these people to tell them, 'No, I do support you and I’m here for you.' It’s been a driving force for me to raise awareness and make a difference and not just sit back to let people feel that hurt."

8. Brendon Urie

Panic! at The Disco's Brendon Urie is no stranger to the LGBTIQ+ community, having donated over $1,000 to the Human Rights Campaign's LGBTIQ+ efforts after the band's concert was picketed by members of the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church.

"Love is beautiful," Urie wrote in a Pride Month letter for .

"I know this because of my fans. They have shown me countless times what it means to accept someone for who they are. That is pure love. The last tour we just finished was the most inspiring I've ever been a part of.
"I want to say thank you," he added.

"Thank you to all of you for being who you are. You're beautiful and I love you."

9. London Grammar

London Grammar had the last laugh while performing in the Margaret Court arena in Melbourne during last year's same-sex marriage postal survey. Learning of the venue's namesake and her views on the LGBTIQ+ community, the band projected a large rainbow onto the stage, earning them a huge applause.

10. Louis Tomlinson

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson has followed in Harry Styles' footsteps, sharing love for his LGBTIQ+ fans with visual displays of support while on tour.

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6 min read
Published 18 June 2018 2:17pm
Updated 18 June 2018 2:26pm
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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