Legendary singer Dionne Warwick is drawing the blueprint for what it means to be an LGBT+ ally
Dionne Warwick has won the hearts of LGBT+ people on Twitter with her vocal support (Samir Hussein/Getty)
Legendary singer Dionne Warwick is learning about LGBT+ history so she can be as inclusive as possible with her fans.
Warwick has sent Twitter into overdrive in recent weeks after she started posting truly hilarious observations and thoughts to the amusement of fans.
On Monday (14 December), the “Walk on By” singer told fans that she is educating herself on LGBT+ flags before she releases any merchandise, as she wants to make sure she is being fully inclusive of queer identities.
The 80-year-old wrote: “I am learning about the different LGBTQ flag colours before I release any merchandise. I want to make sure I am as inclusive and respectful as possible.”
She told fans that they should be able to be “a Hussy” by Christmas or New Year, a term used to refer to Warwick fans.
I am learning about the different LGBTQ flag colors before I release any merchandise. I want to make sure I am as inclusive and respectful as possible. You should be able to be a Hussy by Christmas or New Year.
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 14, 2020
When a fan replied, telling Warwick they should “do the same” as they assumed “it was a rainbow this whole time”, Warwick promised she will share what she has learned “soon”.
“Let’s all work together to be more knowledgeable and inclusive,” she added.
“I am also learning about pronouns.”
I will share what I have learned soon. Let’s all work together to be more knowledgeable and inclusive. I am also learning about pronouns. https://t.co/DDRV33kZG7— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) December 14, 2020
Warwick’s powerful show of solidarity with the LGBT+ community extended far beyond those tweets, too. The singer threw her support behind queer fans everywhere earlier this month, winning the hearts of LGBT+ fans in the process.
Dionne Warwick has been a tireless LGBT+ ally throughout her life.
Writing on Twitter on 1 December, Dionne Warwick said: “You are valid, loved, and heard,” alongside a Pride and trans flag emoji.
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.”
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.”
