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Alongside others like Rina Sawayama, they celebrate the advances in LGBTQ+ equality and point out where we are headed.
Last year, Munroe Bergdorf gave her very own Qween's Speech. Styled after Queen Elizabeth II's annual Christmas message, the "Queen's Speech," she put on the crown herself to lay out a three-point plan to combat racism, sexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression.
"If you don't resonate with Queen Elizabeth II, then go out and find your own queens to celebrate." Bergdorf toldOut at the time. "Don't settle." Now, she's back and she's come with a few friends.
"This year, we wanted our 'Qween's Speech' to be about assembling a united front against bigotry in all its forms," Bergdorf said in a statement about the latest version of the project. "The feeling on set was bittersweet as we shot it the day of the election results, which served a blow to many LGBTQ+ people who voted against homophobia, racism, classism, and austerity. However, it felt good to be part of something productively positive in the wake of such bad news. To serve as a reminder that change can come from within our community, even in politically uncertain times."
In a new film created by Zhang & Knight, Bergdorf is joined by Sam Smith, Rina Sawayama, Gareth Pugh, Lady Phyll, and more to discuss not only how far LGBTQ+ equality has come in the past decade, but what's next.
"We've come so far, fought so fiercely, and reshaped the world to include us in it," Bergdorf said in the footage.
"Celebrating all queer bodies, no matter what form they may take," Sam Smith said. "Redefining the rules to make space for those whose identity cannot be defined by the confines of he or she."
The clip goes on describe other victories like marriage equality passing in Northern Ireland. But there's still work to be done.
As Lady Phyll explains, "Across the globe, our LGBTQIA siblings' lives are endangered because it's still illegal to be gay in over 70 countries. Going forward, we must stand together, strong. The future is our for the shaping."
Bergdorf ends the spot: "Let 2020 be the year of the United Qweendom; a fierce Britain, leading on freedom. Long live, our Qweens."
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Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
