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Celeb News: Beyoncé Ignored the LGBT Community in Houston
Member Since: 6/20/2012
Posts: 6,046
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Beyoncé Ignored the LGBT Community in Houston
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carlos...b_8474620.html
Quote:
Over the past few months, Beyoncé has repeatedly refused the opportunity to speak out against the legalization of discrimination against LGBT people in her hometown. And as hard as it is to say this, her refusal should raise serious questions about her support for her gay, bisexual and transgender fans.
Last night Houstonians voted to repeal the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), a city ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of 15 different characteristics, including race, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. HERO’s repeal is likely the biggest setback for LGBT civil rights since the 2008 passage of Prop 8 in California.
In August, I wrote a blog asking Beyoncé to make a single Instagram post in support of HERO.
To my surprise, a group of young Houston activists turn the post into a fully-fledged online campaign. Before I knew it, HERO supporters in Houston were using the hashtag #BeyBeAHERO to urge Beyoncé to back the ordinance on social media.
The campaign garnered the attention of local and national media outlets including NBC, Buzzfeed, Vox, Salon, Upworthy, Houston Chronicle, and Texas Monthly. Major LGBT organizations, including GLAAD, Courage Campaign, and the National LGBTQ Task Force joined in asking for the superstar’s help. Even Sylvester Turner, the leading Democratic mayoral candidate in Houston, launched a petition asking Beyoncé to back the ordinance.
But despite repeated requests for help from HERO supporters in Houston, Beyoncé declined to comment.
On Instagram, I watched her post images from her Vogue cover shoot.
“It’s only August. I’m sure she’ll say something.”
The drumbeat for Beyoncé to speak up in defense of HERO continued. Two weeks into the #BeyBeAHERO campaign, the hashtag had made over 10 million impressions on social media.
But still, nothing.
On Instagram, I watched Beyoncé post a photo of a pizza.
“Why hasn’t she said something?”
Election Day came and went without a word from the world’s most famous Houstonian, and HERO ended up losing badly at the ballot box, stripping basic legal protections for LGBT people in Houston.
HERO is gone, now. And for her queer fans who watched and waited while Beyoncé decided it wasn’t in her brand’s interests to speak out in defense of her hometown’s non-discrimination law, all there’s left to do is ask “why not?”
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Interesting article, especially as it follows praise of Beyoncé as a symbol of the fight over this very issue:
http://atrl.net/forums/showthread.php?t=843290
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Originally posted by B'Day
How Beyoncé Became A Symbol Of Houston’s Fight For LGBT Equality
 
 
The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which would protect LGBT people and many other groups from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, has been contentious since it was first passed in May of 2014. Beyoncé has enough star power that she could single-handedly ensure that HERO survives its challenge at the ballot in one fell swoop. He wrote as much at The Huffington Post, explaining that as “the world’s proudest and most famous Houstonian,” Beyoncé Knowles “could change the debate” over HERO “with a single post to her over forty million Instagram followers.”
Maza makes a compelling case that it’s reasonable for her to chime in. Beyoncé is not a stranger to political engagement, having drawn attention in particular to the death of Freddie Gray and supporting the Black Lives Matters movement. She’s also been an outspoken advocate for marriage equality; she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling this summer with this #LoveWins tribute:
“When I think of Houston, I think of Beyoncé, and vice versa. I think it’s fair to say she’s the most influential Houstonian on the planet right now. People listen to her. She’s always been a supporter of LGBT equality and her LGBT fans, and she’s used her influence to do a lot of good for her hometown. If she spoke out in favor of HERO, it would be a game-changer. I thought asking for her help was at least worth a shot.” Besides, Maza points out, “she literally has a song called ‘Save The HERO.'”
“HERO protects everyone, and we’re all in this fight together,” Maza reasons.
Beyoncé’s support would certainly be welcome on the ground in Houston. We also know that Beyoncé loves her hometown as much as we do and HERO just makes Houston an even better place to live in, work in, and visit by protecting people based on 15 characteristics. And you can never underestimate Beyoncé’s ability to capture the attention of young people and we will need them keyed in to help protect HERO.”
So far, Beyoncé has not responded to the campaign, but it’s still early; the ballot language is still being worked out and Houston Unites, the coalition to defend HERO, is still coalescing. Maza doesn’t feel that she has any obligation to engage, but he does believe she would be on board. “I really, truly believe Beyoncé loves the LGBT community. In her words and in her actions she’s backed her LGBT fans and never shied away from being an ally. And Beyoncé loves Houston. That’s her home. If anyone is going to fight to make sure Houston keeps treating everyone equally, it’s her.”
He’s also confident that if she did speak out, she would be able to do so articulately. “Beyoncé is smart as hell, and she knows Houston better than anyone.”
Maza doesn’t currently have any plans to reach out to other celebrities because “Beyoncé is probably all I can handle right now.”
“I hope Beyoncé recognizes and supports the truly incredible work they’ve done for their city.”
Read more and find out about HERO here: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/0...-hero-houston/
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 15,128
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Member Since: 3/5/2011
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Member Since: 8/27/2012
Posts: 5,009
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She only cares about black rights, she doesn't care about LGBT rights, is this a surprise though? She's always been a very insular person 
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 351
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Did they ever think to, say huh... Ask her?
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 26,316
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Beyoncé would never do that.
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Member Since: 11/28/2011
Posts: 27,495
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This doesn't surprise me. I mean, it's Beyonce.
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
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Member Since: 10/12/2002
Posts: 21,317
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Refused? Where did she say she refused?
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 5,133
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Smh
But I remember the comment she made about the Britney/Madonna kiss in 2003 so it doesn't surprise me a bit
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Member Since: 8/16/2011
Posts: 19,718
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The whole "men in bathroom" thing was too ambiguous and controversial. Clear that in the ordinance then we can talk. 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 22,126
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 11,186
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Not surprising. I never really seen her as someone who supported LGBT rights anyway. Don't have a clue why her fans thought she did. She couldn't even do something as simple as a statement or even an Instagram picture. People should praise real LGBT+ icons, not just their faves  .
xox
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Member Since: 6/2/2011
Posts: 28,055
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I don't see why she would have to say anything, she's a pop star, not a politician or an activist. A massive, concerted effort to have her say something, which in itself probably wouldn't do anything just seems motivated by a desire to prove if she's homophobic or not. Why not invest all that energy into actually campaigning for the bill not to pass?
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Member Since: 8/27/2012
Posts: 5,009
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Quote:
Originally posted by retromaury
Smh
But I remember the comment she made about the Britney/Madonna kiss in 2003 so it doesn't surprise me a bit
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I wouldn't be surprised if she was homophobic before she decided to bandwagon after the LGBT tide start to rose.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 46,848
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Member Since: 8/16/2011
Posts: 19,718
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Quote:
Originally posted by retromaury
Smh
But I remember the comment she made about the Britney/Madonna kiss in 2003 so it doesn't surprise me a bit
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She didn't say anything about them. Stop spreading these lies.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 14,321
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The campaigning to keep the ordinance was a mess  Even fellow activists dragged Houston teams.
The city is half non-white yet no real promo for HERO in those areas? Prop 8 teas 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 16,870
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It aint her job to speak for gays and if you think texas law makers care what a black woman has to say about laws then 
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Member Since: 8/7/2015
Posts: 351
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Quote:
Originally posted by jackieshann
She only cares about black rights, she doesn't care about LGBT rights, is this a surprise though? She's always been a very insular person |
As if blacks can't be gay.... Where are the white gay tw*nks when blacks are shot in cold blood for no reason by a cop? Where were they when a little girl got slammed on the ground in her bikini by a cop at a pool party IN TEXAS
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