Today’s college students struggle with anxiety and depression.
Singer and songwriter, Halsey, performed in the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
The singer is known for songs like “Without Me” or her collaboration with The Chainsmokers on the song, “Closer.”
But what some people don’t know is she’s an active member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Halsey released a statement to her Instagram on Sunday, Dec. 2, about the lack of inclusivity of people in the fashion show.
The post promoted the organization, GLSEN. GLSEN is the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.
Halsey described GLSEN in her post as “an organization that offers services aimed to protect LGBTQ+ youth.”
Halsey’s post was directed towards the chief marketing director of the show, Ed Razek, because of a statement he made in an interview regarding the fashion show’s thoughts on trans and size 40 models.
In an interview with Vogue, Razek mentioned that the company has thought about using trans and size 40 individuals, but they wouldn’t use them in the show because it doesn’t meet the “fantasy” aesthetic they’re aiming for.
Even though Halsey performed at the show, she wanted people to know she doesn’t support the ideologies of it. She finished her post by saying:
“We stand in solidarity, and complete and total acceptance is the only ‘fantasy’ I support.”
After the post, news outlets such as CNN, USA Today, BBC, and Billboard have been posting about the picture shared to Instagram and rightfully so.
Halsey calling attention to this is all within the timing of Trump’s Administration trying to erase transgenders from our history.
The New York Times has emphasized that if the ideas the administration has of “narrowly defining gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth,” our country faces a large set back in LGBTQ+ support.
Halsey’s public statement has drawn attention to the issue and has opened the eyes of many.
She has contributed to a movement that needs support more than ever. She understands that if Trump’s administration prevails in the fight, Obama’s work to slacken the laws on gender will be erased.
Other social media influencers have shed light on associations created in order to help the LGBTQ+ community. YouTuber Tyler Oakley, with a following of 7.6 million on his channel, has been a spokesperson for The Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 to provide intervention for LGBTQ+ community members, 13 to 24 years old, in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Each year, The Trevor Project hosts an event for celebrities, corporate partners, and allies that have supported their project and Oakley has hosted many years.
The reason why this is important is because when a celebrity or social media influencer speaks about LGBTQ+ rights, there is more attention drawn to the issue and often times, people who are struggling are able to reach out and receive help.
Motivation for this topic, by the way, was because I came out to my parents in Home Depot… Oops.