Billboard Invited 5 LGBTQ Artists to Their First Pride Roundtable
Billboard invited five LGBTQ trailblazers to their first-ever pride roundtable. The artists that attended the roundtable were Big Freedia, Tegan Quin, ILoveMakonnen, Hayley Kiyoko and Adam Lambert. These five artists talked about how being a part of the LGBTQ community has affected their careers, how they have seen the community grow, how they see allies and more.
Go behind the scenes of @adamlambert, @HayleyKiyoko, Tegan Quin of @teganandsara, @bigfreedia & @ILoveMakonnen5D‘s @billboardpride cover shoot!
Read the full cover story and Pride Roundtable here: https://t.co/KNvOKhjEBc pic.twitter.com/QoOd25EK4z
— billboard (@billboard) August 8, 2019
The article is written as a question and answer. While reading the article you feel like you are apart of the conversation they are having with one another. Throughout the interview, there were many important topics brought up. The group talked about activism for the LGBTQ community and how they contribute to that. Adam said, “Leading by example is a form of activism.”
The group was also asked about coming out and why they decided to come out when they did whether it be before their career started or after. Big Freedia came out to her mom when she was 12 at her birthday party and her mom said, “Baby, mama already knows, and I’m going to love you regardless.”
Makonnen decided to come out on Jan. 20, 2017 because of his friend Marcus who passed away in 2017. He was an older black gay man from Atlanta who was always out. He told Makonnen, “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to support you to get your wings and fly.” Having someone support you for being authentically you can help immensely.
To read more of the conversation by these amazing artists check out the article here. The article will appear in the Aug. 10 issue of Billboard.
