Arts & Entertainment
The Weeknd’s ‘Lost in the Fire’ lyrics branded homophobic
The lyrics deemed harmful and offensive to queer women
The Weeknd is being called out for lyrics perceived as homophobic on his new song “Lost in the Fire,” a collaboration with French techno DJ Gesaffelstein.
On the
Nylon writer Jill Gutowitz slammed the lyrics calling them “actually fucking vile.”
“i used to joke that listening to The Weeknd was homophobic but the lyrics from his new song ‘lost in the fire’ are actually fucking vile. in 2019 we’re still doing ‘fuck you straight’ and calling female queerness a ‘phase?'” Gutowitz tweeted.
She added: “These are the kinds of lyrics that fucked me up when i was younger & subconsciously kept me in the closet. So it’s important to talk about and say ‘this is isn’t ok.’”
i used to joke that listening to The Weeknd was homophobic but the lyrics from his new song “lost in the fire” are actually fucking vile. in 2019 we’re still doing “fuck you straight” and calling female queerness a “phase?” pic.twitter.com/xDH3fnNrZv
— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) January 11, 2019
i don’t like cancel culture & i’m not saying “cancel the weeknd,” but these are the kinds of lyrics that fucked me up when i was younger & subconsciously kept me in the closet. so it’s important to talk about and say “this is isn’t ok”
— Jill Gutowitz (@jillboard) January 11, 2019
Musician Marika Hackman tweeted
Well done to @theweeknd for managing to deride, fetishise and dismiss lesbianism all in one verse. pic.twitter.com/iefdhs8ACw
— Marika Hackman (@MarikaHackman) January 11, 2019
Amber Bain (musically known as The Japanese House) also blasted the song tweeting “you can seriously fuck off with these lyrics @theweeknd.”
you can seriously fuck off with these lyrics @theweeknd pic.twitter.com/KpbySgAV1A
— Amber Bain (@ambbain) January 11, 2019
The Weeknd has not yet responded to the criticism.
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Laverne Cox, Reneé Rapp, Deacon Maccubbin named WorldPride grand marshals
House passes reconciliation with gender-affirming care funding ban
PHOTOS: D.C. Trans Pride
Men convicted of murdering two men in NYC gay bar drugging scheme sentenced
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
WorldPride events round-up
Pope Leo XIV: Family based on ‘stable union between a man and a woman’
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
