Arts & Entertainment

Halsey accuses Demi Lovato of exploiting bisexuality in her music

the pop star calls out the ‘Cool for the Summer’ singer’s lyrics

Published

6 years ago

June 28, 2017

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot via YouTube.)

Halsey is sick of the way bisexuality is portrayed in pop songs and in the media.

The 22-year-old singer, who identifies as bisexual, spoke with Paper magazine about her thoughts on other pop stars using bisexual lyrics in their songs.

“It’s bisexuality as a taboo,” Halsey says. “‘Don’t tell your mom,’ or ‘We shouldn’t do this’ or ‘This feels so wrong but it’s so right.'”

“This feels so wrong but it’s so right” appears to be in reference to Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” “Don’t tell your mom” is a lyric from “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato about a same-sex summer fling.

“That narrative is so f*uc*ng damaging to bisexuality and its place in society. That’s something I’ve had to fight my whole life and something I still fight. I still see people on the internet saying, ‘Of course Halsey says she’s bisexual. It’ll help her sell albums,'” Halsey continued.

Lovato appeared to be throwing shade at Halsey with a subtweet referencing “Cool for the Summer.”

You know a song is a hit when people are still talking about the lyrics two years later. ??#shhhhdonttellyourmother

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) June 23, 2017

Halsey also addressed biphobia in both the straight and LGBT community saying that people find it hard to accept bisexuality as legitimate.

“There’s a lack of acceptance. It happens in TV all the time when people write bisexual characters as going through a phase or struggling with something. It’s part of some mental breakdown or rebellion storyline, and that just sucks,” Halsey says. “It’s like, “Oh, I used to be gay and now I’m straight.’ Well, that’s literally not how any of this works, because you can be married to a man and still be a bisexual woman.”

The singer’s single “Strangers” from her latest album is about being in a relationship with another woman. Fellow bisexual artist Lauren Jauregui duets on the track.

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Arts & Entertainment

Must-attend D.C. Pride events for 2023

Don’t miss out on these fun events during D.C. Pride

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2023

Staff reports

Pride Month has arrived, bringing along a vibrant array of events to explore throughout the month of June. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in our favorite events over the upcoming weeks!

PRIDE ON THE PIER & FIREWORKS | JUNE 10TH

The Washington Blade, in partnership with LURe DC and The Wharf, is excited to announce the 4th annual Pride on the Pier and Fireworks show during DC Pride weekend on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 2-9 p.m.

The event will include the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation at 9 p.m.

3PM: Drag Show

4PM: Capital Pride Parade Viewing on the Big Screen

9PM: Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation

GET VIP TICKETS

PRIDE PILS LAUNCH PARTY | JUNE 1ST

Once again we’re celebrating Pride in DC with the release of Pride Pils!

The 2023 design has been created and donated by the talented Chord Bezerra of District CO/OP.

Attendance is “FREE” but please RSVP via this Eventbrite or donating at the event to further support our non-profit partners SMYAL and The Blade Foundation. 100% will be donated. As always, DC Brau and Red Bear Brewing Co. will be donating all profit from the sale of this year’s Pride Pils to our non-profit partners.

RSVP

‘THE GROUND WE STAND ON’ OPENING RECEPTION | JUNE 2ND

Dupont Underground, in partnership with the Washington Blade presents The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers. DC’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit of countless individuals throughout the years. In recognition of their indomitable courage and resilience, an inspiring exhibition titled “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers” will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, DC. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations. By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the DC LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries.

RSVP

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 2ND

Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!

Performers include Destiny B Childs, Elecktra Gee, Jane Saw, and Shi-Queeta Lee

GET TICKETS

SPIRTS & BEER SHOWCASE | JUNE 3RD

metrobar prides itself on serving locally-produced beer, wine and spirits. As part of this mission, we are hosting a curated tasting event featuring Civic Vodka & Assembly Gin from local, woman-owned and operated distillery, Republic Restoratives. We will also have a selection of beers from DC Brau, including their annual Pride Pils for tasting.

GET TICKETS

DRAG UNDERGROUND | JUNE 9TH

Join Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade every Friday for Drag Underground. Featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC!

Performers include Cake Pop, GiGI Paris Couture, Kabuki Bukkake, Delila B. Lee

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Arts & Entertainment

Washington Blade, Dupont Underground spotlight D.C. LGBTQ Changemakers with new exhibit

‘The Ground We Stand On’ highlights 25 queer pioneers during Pride month

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2023

Staff reports

The Washington Blade and Dupont Underground present “The Ground We Stand On: Past and Present DC LGBTQ Changemakers,” a new exhibit that highlights D.C. LGBTQ pioneers.

The exhibit, featuring 25 changemakers will be on view beginning Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 25.

The inspiring exhibition will showcase the remarkable journeys of both past and present changemakers who have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Washington, D.C. The exhibit underscores the enduring legacy of these remarkable individuals, serving as an inspiration for present and future generations.

The exhibition opens on June 2 at 5 p.m., where all the living honorees will be present for the opening reception, followed by Drag Underground starting at 8:30 p.m., featuring some of the best Drag Queens in DC such as Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop, Jane Saw, and Destiny B Childs.

“By shining a light on their remarkable contributions, this exhibition aims to empower and encourage the continuous evolution of the D.C. LGBTQ+ community and its influence that transcends boundaries,” said Stephen Rutgers, director of Sales and Marketing for the Washington Blade.

“We are thrilled to highlight so many living changemakers who will visit us for opening night, and to honor the memories and work of those changemakers who are no longer with us,” said Ana Harvey, Dupont Underground CEO.

For more information about Dupont Underground, visit www.dupontunderground.org.

This year’s exhibition will feature the following changemakers:

Adalphie Johnson

Ba’Naka (Dustin Michael Schaad, posthumous)

David Catania

DJ’s: Ed Bailey, DJ MIM, DJ Sedrick, DJ Suspence, DJ Honey, DJ Rosie, DJ Chord, DJ Jay Jay

Earl Fowlkes

Earline Budd

Frank Kameny (posthumous)

GiGi Holliday

Jose Gutierrez

Jamil Fletcher