Culture

Legendary singer Dionne Warwick comes out swinging for LGBT+ rights and shows how a simple act of kindness can go a long way

Dec 07 2020
Written by Patrick Kelleher

Dionne Warwick has shown her support for the LGBT+ community throughout her career (Theo Wargo/Getty)

Legendary singer Dionne Warwick has come out swinging for LGBT+ rights in a powerful show of solidarity with queer people.

The “Walk on By” singer has become increasingly outspoken on Twitter, and she has decided to use her platform to show support for the LGBT+ community.

Writing on Twitter on 1 December, Warwick said: “You are valid, loved, and heard,” alongside a Pride and trans flag emojis.

When a Twitter user retweeted her comment and expressed their surprise that she supports LGBT+ rights, Warwick replied: “I love and support as an ally.”

Dionne Warwick has been a powerful advocate for the LGBT+ community

On the same day, Warwick reflected on one of her crowning achievements – her tireless activism in support of people with HIV and AIDS.

The singer shared a video from NowThis which heaped praise on Warwick for raising $3 million for HIV/AIDS research with her song “That’s What Friends Are For”, which was recorded with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight.

Warwick was later appointed ambassador for health by then-US president Ronald Reagan in recognition of her activism in HIV and AIDS, and she famously spoke out in favour of the most marginalised people.

The NowThis video shared by Warwick included a speech she gave in which she said: “People with AIDS are people. They are families, they are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbours. Just people.

“But if through my work I am able to save one life, to bring one family closer together in their time of need, to bring a ray of sunshine to the downtrodden, then I will consider my work well done and not to have been in vain.”

Warwick shared the powerful video and wrote: “Always so proud of this.”

The singer has been inundated with praise from fans, with many thanking the star for her tireless work supporting the LGBT+ community.