Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa delivered powerful speeches Tuesday night at the UK’s Attitude Awards 2020, which honour members of the LGBTQ community and their allies.
Swift, who received the Icon Award, thanked fans for giving her a platform to make music “and to be vocal about the things I think are right and wrong.”
The pop star said: "I just believe very firmly that everyone should be able to live out their love story without fear of discrimination and the way for that to happen is for us to continue to keep pushing governments to put protections in place for members of the LGBTQ community. And I promise to always advocate for that.”
Lipa, who was introduced as winner of the Music Award by Mark Ronson, used her time to talk about mental health issues in the LGBTQ community during the pandemic.
“A lot of my LBGTQ friends have talked to me about what a vulnerable time this was for them and how they relied on the support of their friends to get them through, which was particularly important if they don’t feel like they had the support at home,” she said.
“Many organizations have reported that since the pandemic began the number of LGBTQ people contacting them has doubled. Tragically some are reporting an increase in suicides, so I am urging all of us, if there is someone you think is vulnerable, someone you think could do with a hug, even if it’s virtual, please don’t wait for them to reach out to you.”
An emotional Lipa stopped to collect herself. “Sorry,” she said. “Let’s, um, let’s wrap our arms around the young people in this community and help them to feel safe, heard and loved. Let’s get through this together.”
The Gamechanger Award, presented by The Vamps, went to YUNGBLUD. “I want to stress that this is not my award, this is our award because I haven’t done anything – we have done everything,” he said. “A community of people who get up every day and scream and shout because we believe that each and every one of us has the right to be equal.
“Each and every one of us has the right to love and be loved in return.”
YUNGBLUD closed the Attitude Awards show by performing in a pair of bikini briefs. Watch the show below: (Warning: Contains language some may find offensive.)