14 Times Beyoncé & Jay-Z Supported the LGBTQ+ Community

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are receiving GLAAD's Media Vanguard Award for their LGBTQ+ advocacy!

The Carters are the 2019 honorees of GLAAD's Media Vanguard Award "presented to allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people."

While the superstar duo is notoriously private, The Carters have shown up for LGBTQ folks over and over again throughout the years in their music, advocacy, and celebrations.

"Beyoncé and JAY-Z are longtime allies and supporters of the LGBTQ community who use their global platforms to share messages that inspire and change the world for the better."

When Beyoncé stood up for trans youth.

Following Trump's plan to rescind protections for transgender students, Bey shared a link to the 100 Days of Kindness Campaign led by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network). "LGBTQ students need to know we support them," she wrote to her 62 million followers. 

When Beyoncé covered Out Magazine.

"What I’m really referring to, and hoping for, is human rights and equality, not just that between a woman and a man," Bey said in the 2014 cover story. "I’m very happy if my words can ever inspire or empower someone who considers themselves an oppressed minority…We are all the same and we all want the same things: the right to be happy, to be just who we want to be and to love who we want to love."

When Beyoncé got in the "Formation" of a human Pride Flag with her backup dancers.

When Jay-Z & Beyoncé openly supported marriage equality.

Before marriage equality passed in 2013, The Carters were very vocal in supporting the LGBTQ community.

In 2012, Jay-Z told CNN, "I've always thought it as something that was still, um, holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love." He added, "No different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple."

Beyoncé has also been vocal with her support, posting on Instagram, "If you like it you should be able to put a ring on it. #WeWillUnite4MarriageEquality."

When Bey celebrated marriage equality with a rainbow-themed "7/11" video.

#LoveWins

Beyoncé is just as obsessed with Frank Ocean as we are.

The two musicians are obviously big fans of each other's work. Ocean, who publicly shared his romantic involvement with men in 2012, has worked with Queen Bey on several songs, including "I Miss You," "Superpower," and "Pink + White."

When Beyoncé dedicated a "Halo" performance to Pulse victims.

When Jay-Z's mom Gloria Carter came out as a lesbian.

On Jay-Z's latest album 4:44, Momma Carter delivered a powerful spoken word poem about her time in the closet.

"Living in the shadows. Can you imagine what kind of life it is to live? In the shadows, people see you as happy and free. Because that's what you want them to see. Living two lives, happy but not free."

When Laverne Cox modeled for Beyoncé's fitness clothing line.

"To be honest, it doesn’t feel real," the transgender actress told PeopleStyle. "It feels like some weird fantasy that I’ve had since Destiny’s Child. It feels amazing that I get to be a part of this brand that has already inspired me and be working with a woman who has especially been a huge inspiration to me and so many folks around the world."

When Bey slayed in "Formation" with Big Freedia & Messy Mya.

Using the gayest of slang, Beyoncé absolutely slayed us with her 2016 smash hit "Formation." The track also features prominent black LGBTQ figures Big Freedia and Messy Mya. 

When Bey promoted "Y'All Means All" during the Formation World Tour.

Beyoncé denounced North Carolina's discriminatory bathroom bill with the "Y'all Means All" initiative and encouraged concert attendees to support Equality NC, a local organization "dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians."

When Jay-Z's "Family Feud" video featured a cameo from Janet Mock & a quote from James Baldwin.

A quote from celebrated gay writer James Baldwin opens Jay-Z's video about a the strength of family. "The wretched of the earth do not decide to become extinct, they resolve, on the contrary, to multiply: life is their weapon against life, life is all that they have."

Trans activist Janet Mock also has a cameo in the video as a "founding mother."

When Beyoncé spotlighted same-gender couples in "All Night."

She is Beyoncé.

Gay rights!