Selena Gomez. (Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / FilmMagic)
Selena Gomez credited the LGBT + community for launching and supporting her music career before anyone else.
In an interview at the Grammy Awards, Gomez remembers when she went from Disney star to record artist.
In 2009, when releasing her second single “Naturally”, she said the song was “played in gay bars before any other place”.
“I heard older friends say they heard it when they got out,” Gomez said.
“I was so jealous that I was too young to go out and dance with everyone.”
She added that she had always felt connected to queer people, continuing, “The LGBT + community has been there for me and I don’t take them for granted.
“Growing up in Texas, I remember when I was a kid my mom had a group of gay friends and I loved being with them.
“There was no question of anyone being ‘different’. It was pure and genuine love for each other and I will never forget it.
Gomez added that she hopes her queer fans “will hear in my music the importance of self-love and the strength that comes from vulnerability.”
Selena Gomez thinks equality law debate is ‘absurd’
Selena Gomez also used her Grammy Award interview to advocate for the Equality Act, which would expand the Fair Housing Act and Civil Rights Act of 1964, and provide federal protection against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in education, employment, housing and public spaces.
The law was passed by the House of Representatives in February but has yet to reach the Senate floor and is currently the subject of debate by Republicans who believe protecting LGBT + people from discrimination violate their religious freedom.
“We have come a long way in the past 10 years, but there is still a long way to go,” said Gomez.
“The Senate must pass the Equality Act. It is absurd that this will even be debated in 2021. “
