Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal
While she dedicated her latest album “Renaissance” in part to the LBGT+ community, Beyoncé gave a concert in Dubai, a country in which their rights are not recognized.
MUSIC – Did Beyoncé do “pink washing”? After four years without a concert, the singer has chosen Dubai for her return to the stage, this Saturday, January 21. And for the LGBTQ + community, it does not pass. Indeed, the country is known for its LGBTphobic positions and laws.
For the past few days, on Twitter, many Internet users – including Sébastien Tüller, LGBTQ+ manager for Amnesty International France – have chosen to denounce this choice to go on stage in “ one of the most LGBTphobic countries in the world “.
An album specially dedicated to his gay uncle to end up performing in #Dubai in one of the most LGBTphobe countries… https://t.co/QbvgKu3yJk
— Sebastien Tüller (@SebastienTULLER)
Especially since his last album Renaissance is, according to the specialized media, a tribute to black and queer culture. Moreover, the British daily The Guardian notes that in Dubai, the 41-year-old artist did not sing any of the songs from this opus released this summer 2022.
A concert that raises questions
In the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, relations between people of the same sex are punishable by law and these people even risk going to prison. Nevertheless, according to a 2021 Amnesty International report, article 356 of the penal code no longer considers consensual sex to be an offence. On the other hand, “vaguely worded provisions penalizing ‘scandalous acts of indecency’ remained”.
According to GQ Middle East, Beyoncé received 24 million dollars for this performance in a luxury hotel, the Atlantis The Royal. A show held in front of 1,500 VIP guests.
No beef but I’m struggling to understand why Beyoncé, who has half a billion dollars, would accept 20 million dolla… https://t.co/49ZDB2d0nF
— douglas greenwood (@douglasgrnwd)
” I find it hard to understand why Beyoncé, who has half a billion dollars, would accept 20 million dollars to make her first performance since the album Renaissance, a record that strongly highlights queer culture, in Dubai, a countries where LBGT rights are not recognised. »
What a shame ! Money really buys everything, even conscience… We really need the pinkwashing of these… https://t.co/TJNCVMwgno
— Tilo_fr 🇪🇺🇺🇦🇫🇷🏳️ 🌈 The Federalist (@Super_Yoyo_fr)
A woman who stood so firmly for LGBT rights, performing in a country it’s still illegal to be homosexual…… #Beyonce
— Rachel Reilly (@RachelReilly91)
” A woman who was so outspoken for LGBT rights is performing in a country where it’s still illegal to be gay. »
I love Beyoncé, can’t wait for the follow up album to Renaissance and the visuals as well whenever they turn up, bu… https://t.co/BTTxcKhYbv
— 🏳️🌈🌟 Simon 🌟🏳️🌈 (@TheSimonC90)
” I love Beyoncé, can’t wait to listen to the sequel to Renaissance and see the clips when they arrive. But to be honest, I’m really disappointed that she chose to perform in Dubai knowing that she has a large LGBT+ fanbase. »
It should be noted that in the note of intent to RenaissanceBeyoncé dedicated this album to “ to all the pioneers who make culture, those fallen angels whose contributions have gone unrecognized for far too long.” And especially to his uncle Johnny, who died prematurely of an AIDS-related illness in the 1990s, who was his ” godmother and the first person to introduce her to the culture and music that served as her inspiration “.
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