Arts & Entertainment
‘Atlanta’ star Lakeith Stanfield apologizes for homophobic freestyle rap
The actor says he was portraying a character
Lakeith Stanfield (Screenshot via YouTube)
“Atlanta” star Lakeith Stanfield has apologized for posting a freestyle rap with homophobic lyrics.
Stanfield, who also appears in the Oscar-nominated film “Get Out” and the upcoming film “Sorry to Bother You,” posted a video on his Instagram titled “offensive freestyle.” In the video, he raps homophobic lyrics such as “that’s some gay shit” and “Fag, I don’t really like to brag, but I’m straight, rich.”
So @lakeithlakeith from @AtlantaFX && @Sorry2BotherYou Though this “freestyle” (that you can clearly see him looking down & reading) was appropriate?! Lol ppl are truly Homophobic weirdos Lakeith Stanfield sis you played yourself pic.twitter.com/5N5F7Nexs2
— Bre’on (@_BayBey) June 23, 2018
After facing backlash for the rap, Stanfield took to Twitter to explain that the video was him performing as a character and not his own views.
“I assume characters that have different viewpoints and different views on life and just different perspectives,” Stanfield says. “Some things my views are aligned with and some things my views aren’t aligned with and this character that you’ve seen is a character that I’m definitely not in line with and I definitely don’t believe those things.”
“I’ve never been homophobic. Have never agreed with homophobic thought or hatred toward anyone for that matter. I’m a person that moves in love and I want to promote and continue to push that,” he continued. “I apologize if I hurt anybody, sincerely. That wasn’t my intention—to be somebody that was out here just slinging arrows and hurting people, so I want them to know that I apologize that they had to feel sadness from that. So my sincerest apologies.”
Watch his apology below.
— Lakeith Stanfield (@lakeithlakeith) June 26, 2018
Celebrate the start of Pride month at the Queer Magic Dance Party at the Black Cat on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 9 p.m.
There will be pole performances and demonstrations, a free photo booth with glitter bar, a queer vendor market, tarot readings by Skye Marinda Tarot, a drag performance by Sapphica, and dancing to a blend of smooth R&B, Afrobeats, hip-hop and pop by Slammer & Saba. Tickets are $20 at the door or $15 (plus fees) in advance, purchased here.
Local queer journalists will celebrate Pride this weekend at the annual NLGJA-DC Pride Happy Hour event at Trade (1410 14th St., N.W.) on Saturday, June 6, 3-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Out & About
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Annual event held at historic Congressional Cemetery
The 14th annual DC Front Runners’ Pride 5K run/walk is set for Saturday, June 6 at historic Congressional Cemetery. The race starts and ends at the cemetery (1801 E St., S.E.) and passes through scenic D.C., along the Anacostia River trail and the fields at RFK campus. Registration ends Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Runners can pick up their race packets on Saturday from 7-8:30 a.m. at Congressional Cemetery; the race begins at 9 a.m.
The fee to run the 5K in person is $65 ($35 for those under age 20). Proceeds benefit local LGBTQ nonprofits, including Thrive DC, Wanda Alston Foundation, Blade Foundation, Ainsley’s Angels, SMYAL, and Team DC. Visit DCFrontRunners.org for more information.
‘Girlfriends’ wanted for murder in Silver Spring, Md.
Queer Magic dance party planned
NLGJA-DC Pride happy hour at Trade
DC Front Runners Pride Run 5K set for Saturday
Calendar: June 5-11
Claudia López comes up short in Colombian presidential election
PHOTOS: Hagerstown Pride
Hungarian authorities lift Budapest Pride ban
Advocates push back on proposed FCC warning labels
