Beyoncé has always been a fierce ally, but her newest disco-infused Renaissance World Tour is a true love letter to the LGBTQ+ community.
Queen Bey kicked off the tour in support of her seventh studio album with vogue dancers, a drag-like bee costume, and a giant Pride flag as a backdrop.
But that’s not all, because the singer also made all of the bathrooms on the tour gender-neutral — you know, the kind that strikes fear into the hearts of transphobes everywhere.
Beyonce’s team is making all of the bathrooms Gender Neutral on the #RENAISSANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/hsPPxyHHEK
— RENAISSANCE Updates🪩 (@B7Album) May 10, 2023
Allyship like this has not gone unnoticed by fans who have taken to social media to show their support, with one Twitter user writing, “She really loves us.”
She really loves us! 😭😭😭😭
— Kalen Allen (@TheKalenAllen) May 10, 2023
Others pointed out that the tour includes stops in Florida and Tennessee, where recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation has been passed, and that Florida’s anti-trans bathroom bill will be in effect.
Beyonce vs T*RFs Worldwide was not on my 2023 showdown bingo but i'm ready to see y'all get obliterated https://t.co/0WHq6OxBvs
— g'raha tia's little pogchamp (@perseraha) May 11, 2023
As expected, some have railed against this act of inclusion. For instance, one particular Twitter account accused Beyoncé of being a “pawn of the establishment” and, of course, this user had a JK Rowling header. Others have also doubted if the superstar would fight back against Florida. One Twitter user wrote, “I’m so sorry to disappoint, but Beyoncé is at the end of the day a capitalist. She won’t be fighting with anyone if it comes between her and her bag. The show will go on with gendered restrooms.”
Alas, the Grammy award winner is using her Renaissance tour to support the queer community through actions like these, which show her devoted fans and the world at large that all LGBTQ+ people deserve respect and celebration.
Beyoncé’s Renaissance album is a musical triumph and a celebration of queer and trans ballroom culture. It’s a tribute to Black queer creatives like trans icon Ts Madison, fashion pioneer Telfar Clemens, and the late queen of the downtown drag scene, Moi Renee. In the album booklet, she’s seen sporting costumes that emulate the legendary Pepper LeBejia and Octavia St. Laurent.
Overall, the album won Beyoncé four trophies at the Grammy Awards for this tribute to queer culture. During her acceptance speech, she thanked her Uncle Johnny and the broader LGBTQ+ community for inspiring the album.
“I’d like to thank my Uncle Johnny, who’s not here,” she tearfully said. “But he’s here in spirit.”
After thanking her family, Beyoncé went on to give credit to the LGBTQ+ community, “I’d like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing the genre.”
Queer people have always been major contributors to art and culture, but historically have rarely gotten credit or accolades. As such, it is absolutely fabulous to see a megastar like Beyoncé being vocal about how the LGBTQ+ community has influenced and supported her career.
The Renaissance World Tour began in Stockholm Sweden yesterday and makes its way to North America on July 8 with a performance in Toronto.
Yes. Beyoncé started her Renaissance World Tour on May 10, 2023. The North American leg of her tour will begin in Toronto on July 8.
