Justice

Beyoncé Sent A Huge Message By Wearing This Shirt

May 4th 2016

Queen Bey has spoken: LGBT rights need more exposure.

BeyonceBeyonce - beyonce.com

Following a performance in Raleigh, North Carolina Tuesday night, the pop star posted a statement on her website to "bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality" in the state and beyond. North Carolina recently passed one of the country's harshest anti-LGBT laws.

The statement featured a t-shirt from the LGBT rights group Equality NC, reading: "Y'all means all," superimposed on an image of North Carolina. It was rolled out under the singer's #BeyGood campaign, which encourages fans to fight for a variety of social justice causes.

"It has been over a month since the passing of the worst anti-LGBT law in the nation," Chris Sgro, executive director of the organization, said in a statement. "We are grateful and extremely humbled by the outpouring of support against this deeply discriminatory law. Beyoncé's support is another voice in the chorus for equality."

Legislation like North Carolina's House Bill 2 limits protections afforded to LGBT individuals over their right to use public facilities, such as bathrooms and locker rooms, according to their gender identity. HB2 and other, similar legislation, has stirred a fiery national conversation around LGBT rights, especially transgender protections.

mississippi-anti-lgbt-discrimination-protestersAP/Rogelio V. Solis - apimages.com

Beyoncé's statement is just the latest high-profile protest against the new laws. It was, however, comparatively weak, as some on social media noted.

Other performers, including Bruce Springsteen, canceled events in North Carolina in protest of the legislation.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has pushed back against criticisms of the bill, claiming that he doesn't see it as discriminatory. In a recent interview, McCrory decried political correctness and "thought police" for blocking a healthy debate on the issue.

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