On Friday, Nebraska lawmakers voted to restrict abortion access after 12 weeks while also banning gender-affirming care for trans youth.
A few hours later, superstar singer Lizzo appeared onstage in Omaha and used her powerful platform to slam the so-called pro-life party for pushing their hate agenda on others.
The multiple-Grammy-winning Lizzo, who’s known for her body positivity and inclusivity, was visibly upset and angry in a video captured by a fan.
“There have been some anti-trans laws passed, some anti-abortion laws passed,” Lizzo tells the crowd.
“And anybody who comes to a Lizzo show should know that I am for people to have the right to healthcare, reproductive and gender-affirming.”
The “Truth Hurts” phenomenon told the packed house how much she loves and appreciates her LGBTQ+ fans.
One of Lizzo’s “Big Grrrls” backup dancers, Jayla Sullivan, is a transgender woman, and Lizzo literally twerks the talk.
“There’s times where I get very political, and as adults, we feel it. But there’s children here tonight,” Lizzo said, trying to control her emotions.
“It really breaks my heart that there are young people growing up in a world that doesn’t protect them.”
At a time when queer and trans youth have never been more at risk, hearing Lizzo speak basic human truths to power means everything.
“Let me be your safe space tonight and just tell you young people, don’t let anybody tell you who you are. Don’t let any laws tell you who you’re not … You are who you are, OK?” she preached.
“I see you. You are valid, you deserve to be here in every form. You contain multitudes. These laws are not real — you are what’s real, and you deserve to be protected.”
And that’s what it really comes down to.
The government has no place telling any of us who we are, who we can love, who we can be, and what we can do with our own bodies.
It’s called AGENCY and living in America is supposed to guarantee that we all have the same equal agency over ourselves.
Lizzo was getting plenty of much-deserved love online for being a living example of love.
“Don’t let anybody tell you who you are. These laws are not real. YOU are real.”
Thank you, @lizzo, for giving Nebraska what it needed tonight. pic.twitter.com/CuWnVv2Tgj
— Senator John Fredrickson (@JohnforNE) May 20, 2023
Amazing. Lizzo, in front of thousands of people, confronts LB574 – a gender affirming care ban and abortion ban – in Nebraska tonight.
"Don't let anyone tell you who you are. These laws aren't real. YOU are real."pic.twitter.com/UqzIvaUA1T
— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) May 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1660275807644786693?s=20
*THIS IS AN OPINION COLUMN THAT SOLELY REPRESENTS THE OPINIONS OF TARA DUBLIN. HOORAY FOR THE FREE PRESS!*
Other hot takes by Tara Dublin can be found on TikTok and Twitter @taradublinrocks.
