Every June, the world collectively comes together to acknowledge the contributions of our LGBTQ+ comrades for Pride Month. It’s such a wondrous time full of celebrations, joy and excitement. While we will continue to do so, it’s equally important to acknowledge our LGBTQ+ allies.
Oftentimes there is so much focus centered on the utter vitriol queer people face, so we’re switching it up a bit by shouting out those who’ve shown support for us. From Jay-Z to Megan Thee Stallion, there are so many incredible folks with huge platforms who’ve shown solidarity. It’s the support for me! Check out our list of eight Black celebrities who’ve shown up for LGBTQ+ people.
1. Beyoncé
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Honestly, are we surprised? Queen Bey has always shown up for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it was celebrating marriage equality or empowering LGBTQ+ high school graduates, we salute her for being the ultimate ally.
2. Jay-Z
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Jay-Z may be one of the greatest rappers of all time, but he’s also one of the greatest allies of all time. During an interview with CNN, the rapper boldly stated that the denial of marriage for same-sex couples was hindering the country’s progress, calling it discriminatory.
3. Megan Thee Stallion
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Our favorite hot girl has also become our favorite ally. When addressing rampant homophobia in hip-hop, the Houston native proclaimed the importance of representation and acceptance. Can we love her any more?
4. Michelle Obama
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There aren’t enough adjectives to describe the magic that is Mrs. Obama, but the word solidarity is certainly one we can use. In 2015, when same-sex marriage was made legal, Michelle Obama snuck out of the White House with her daughter to celebrate the landmark ruling.
5. Monique Samuels
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Samuels may be known for her talent as the ultimate receipt holder, but it’s her appreciation for the LGBTQ+ community that shines brighter. In an interview with Instinct magazine, Monique gushed about her appreciation for the community and how her siblings, who identify as queer, hold her accountable as an ally.
6. Deborah Cox
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We’re not crying, you are. Deborah Cox, who has always been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, opened up to Billboard about her solidarity in 2017. Cox discloses her passion for empowering LGBTQ+ youth and helping them get their voices heard. A queen, through and through.
7. John Legend
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John Legend has immense talent, but his heart might be even bigger. In 2015, the singer made headlines when he boycotted the luxury hotel chain The Dorchester Collection when it was revealed that the owner, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, introduced a new penal code in his country that punished same-sex activity.
8. Naomi Campbell
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Naomi Campbell is one of the most recognized supermodels in the world, and she attributes that to the gay men who’ve worked with her. Campbell stated that fashion needs to be even more diverse than what it is, including embracing trans models.
It’s always a wonderful feeling when your favorite celebrity has your back from afar. We hope to see even more public figures show support in the years to come.
