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Fans Celebrate on Twitter After Taylor Swift Shouts Out GLAAD and LGBTQ People in New Pride-Themed Anthem ‘You Need to Calm Down’
After announcing the release date and title of her upcoming album Lover, Taylor Swift dropped her second single, “You Need to Calm Down,” at midnight on Friday. The song simultaneously calls out mean keyboard warriors and acts as a Pride anthem — just in time for Pride Month.
“You are somebody that we don’t know/But you’re coming at my friends like a missile/Why are you mad?/When you could be GLAAD?” Swift sings on the track, referencing the LGBTQ media organization. The song continues: “Sunshine on the street at the parade/But you would rather be in the dark ages/Making that sign/Must have taken all night.”
“Cause shade never made anybody less gay,” Swift sings.
GLAAD has started a Facebook fundraiser for fans to support our LGBTQ advocacy work for Pride month (choosing $1300 as a goal since 13 is Taylor’s lucky number). Donate to the fundraiser here.
did @taylorswift13 just — pic.twitter.com/MkfkkBComN
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 14, 2019
As soon as the song was released, Swifties everywhere took to social media to react the new Pride anthem, as well as the clever shoutout to GLAAD. Check out some of the best reactions from Swifties below:
Love, equality, and GLAAD
— Michelle & Shiri swifties forever (@swiftiealways26) June 14, 2019
The positivity, self-love and empowerment of the #Lover era is so refreshing and needed.
There’s no room for negativity here.
— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) June 14, 2019
I gasped. Then got to explain to my 10 year old about boys and boys and girls and girls…to which she replied “I know mom, I read a book about it.”
— Katie Lowe (@Katie_M_Lowe) June 14, 2019
and said “Equality Act” #YouNeedToCalmDown pic.twitter.com/jtvi5xG31Y
— sherna (@swiftiereads) June 14, 2019
A queen did it. A legend snapped pic.twitter.com/k8q3Oh2uE3
— (@RUandVPI) June 14, 2019
TaylorSwiftsaidEqualRightsShesaidGayRightsShesaidyoucanthrowshadebutthatwon’tchangewhotheyareShesaidstopcomparingwomenShesaiddon’tbemadbeGLAADTaylorSwiftsaidYouNeedToCalmDown
— i’m lovin it (@itsaduckblr) June 14, 2019
taylor mentioning glaad and pride parades in her new song made my heart really happy
— sky (@shizzlybizzly) June 14, 2019
| Taylor supporting the LGBTQ community in her new song #YouNeedToCalmDown #PrideMonth
Shows support for @glaad
Lyric: Shade never made anybody less gay
Lyric: Control your urges to scream about the people you hate
EA = Equality Act
Pride flag in cover art pic.twitter.com/eGpcv6jMbD— Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNZ) June 14, 2019
“Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars,” said Anthony Ramos, Director of Talent Engagement at GLAAD. “The fact that she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community and the Equality Act is a true sign of being an ally. ‘You Need to Calm Down’ is the perfect Pride anthem, and we’re thrilled to see Taylor standing with the LGBTQ community to promote inclusivity, equality, and acceptance this Pride month.”
Earlier this month, GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today thanked global superstar Taylor Swift for a very generous donation in honor of LGBTQ Pride month. Swift’s donation will be used for GLAAD’s ongoing work to amplify stories as well as create campaigns that fight back against the current rise of hate and discrimination and also accelerate acceptance of LGBTQ people.
Swift also wrote an eloquent letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander, a U.S. Senator from Tennessee, asking him to support the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination in employment, housing, and other public accommodations. In her caption for the letter she wished everyone a Happy Pride Month and encouraged others to write their Senators. Read the full letter and post here:
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!! While we have so much to celebrate, we also have a great distance to go before everyone in this country is truly treated equally. In excellent recent news, the House has passed the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination in their places of work, homes, schools, and other public accommodations. The next step is that the bill will go before the Senate. I’ve decided to kick off Pride Month by writing a letter to one of my senators to explain how strongly I feel that the Equality Act should be passed. I urge you to write to your senators too. I’ll be looking for your letters by searching the hashtag #lettertomysenator. While there’s no information yet as to when the Equality Act will go before the Senate for a vote, we do know this: Politicians need votes to stay in office. Votes come from the people. Pressure from massive amounts of people is a major way to push politicians towards positive change. That’s why I’ve created a petition at change.org to urge the Senate to support the Equality Act. Our country’s lack of protection for its own citizens ensures that LGBTQ people must live in fear that their lives could be turned upside down by an employer or landlord who is homophobic or transphobic. The fact that, legally, some people are completely at the mercy of the hatred and bigotry of others is disgusting and unacceptable. Let’s show our pride by demanding that, on a national level, our laws truly treat all of our citizens equally. Click the link in my bio to sign the petition for Senate support of the Equality Act.
A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) on
The Equality Act passed the House of Representatives earlier this month, but has yet to be voted on by the Senate. Currently, LGBTQ Americans receive zero non-discrimination protections in 26 states. GLAAD thanked Taylor Swift for her support on Instagram and Twitter:
Thank you @taylorswift13 for kicking off #PrideMonth by making a generous donation to support our work to accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ people. We you. Follow Taylor’s lead: t.co/pEW5ZcHMxp pic.twitter.com/9N39wQ2BPz
— GLAAD (@glaad) June 1, 2019
“Taylor Swift continues to use her platform to speak out against discrimination and create a world where everyone can live the life they love,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “GLAAD is so thankful for her donation to support our advocacy efforts and for her ongoing work to speak out for what is fair, just, and LGBTQ inclusive. In today’s divisive political and cultural climate, we need more allies like Taylor, who send positive and uplifting messages to LGBTQ people everywhere.”
Swift’s single “ME!” features Panic At The Disco front-man Brendan Urie, who came out as pansexual in 2018.
Earlier this year, Swift made a financial donation to the Tennessee Equality Project, a Nashville-based group working to defeat six anti-LGBTQ bills, nicknamed the ‘Slate of Hate,’ that were being considered by the state Legislature. As part of its work, TEP convened more than 100 religious leaders to denounce the bills. Swift wrote a note to the organization which read: “I’m writing you to say that I’m so inspired by the work you do, specifically in organizing the recent petition of Tennessee faith leaders standing up against the ‘Slate of Hate’ in our state legislature.”
In October 2018, Swift penned a passionate message on Instagram to raise awareness around the anti-LGBTQ record of Tennessee congresswoman Marsha Blackburn during her reelection campaign. Swift wrote: “I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love.”
Taylor Swift previously worked with GLAAD by making a surprise appearance at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2016 to present the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to out actress Ruby Rose. Each year, GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to an LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting acceptance.
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