Arts & Entertainment
Shawn Mendes refuses to help bisexual fan come out to her parents
Social media divided on if the singer made the right decision
Shawn Mendes denied a fan’s request to help her come out to her parents as bisexual during a fan Q&A in Oakland, Calif. on July 14.
The fan tells Mendes that she is bisexual and hasn’t told many people. Mendes and the rest of the crowd cheer her on and the fan explains that her parents are very strict. She requests for Mendes to film a video telling her parents that she is bisexual.
“This is what I want to tell you. Your parents are your parents. They’re going to love you no matter what you say, no matter how you say it, no matter how you look when you say it, at any time of the day,” Mendes replies. “Nothing I say is going to mean anything that is even close to what you saying it means to them. Okay? You’re their world. I cannot possibly come close to the amount of joy and happiness that they’re going to feel when they find out that you’re telling them your truth and you’re honest.”
He added, “Don’t ask me to do that. I would if I thought that it was a better thing to do, but I know in my heart that it’s not. I know your parents are going to love you even more for being honest with them.”
.@ShawnMendes receives backlash after telling a fan that he won’t help her come out to her parents. pic.twitter.com/jChVmMCwxA
— Music News Facts (@musicnewsfact) July 19, 2019
Fans were divided on how they felt about Mendes’ response to the request. Some people felt it was his duty as a celebrity to be supportive of his fans while others didn’t think this type of request was in his job description.
it is. He’s a celebrity that people look up to and with that comes the responsibility to help the people that made you famous in the first place.
— Alessia del Perry B (@_katycaralana) July 19, 2019
I don’t remember celebrities being hired to assist their fans in their personal issues. If he doesn’t feel comfortable, then he doesn’t have to oblige, whether or not the fan looks up to him or not. His job is to make his fans happy with his music, his arts and crafts.
— andre || #1 art deco stan (@remforeverboy) July 19, 2019
Yeah but how is him recording a video to tell them would make her situation better?? Like if they are strict or conservative they were gonna accept her because Shawn Mendes told them to?? Lmao
— karina (@mskarinalemos) July 19, 2019
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.
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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)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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