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Allies: Celebrities Who Support the LGBT Community  was originally published on globalgrind.com

1. Beyoncé

Beyoncé

When speaking to PrideSource, Beyoncé praised her many gay fans, “If anyone is brave and true to themselves, it’s my gay fans. The amount of confidence and fearlessness it takes to do what maybe is not what your parents expect you to do or what society may think is different – to be brave and […]

2. Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim

The femcee has always been a strong advocate of Gay rights, and she really put her money where her mouth is in 2011 when she elected to miss the BET Awards in Los Angeles to attend the annual Gay Pride parade in New York City right after same-sex marriage was legalized.

3. Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey

In May 2016, the Diva icon received an award from GLAAD as an “ally: of the LGBT agenda. Carey responded by calling it “more real” than any of the awards she was won in her illustrious career.

4. Brandy

Brandy

When interviewed by Chicago Go Pride Brandy said spoke in support of gay marriage. “ I just know that love is free, and anybody can feel it, whether it be with someone of the same sex or the opposite sex.” When asked what she would do if she had a child who was gay, she […]

5. Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino

The rapper and actor has been an ally of the LGBT community since he gained fame. In his short film, Clapping for the Wrong Reasons, his character says, “let me tell the story of how one time I kissed a boy. Am I gay? I don’t know, maybe. But the maybe is what’s really connecting […]

6. Common

Common

Earlier in his career Common was approached by gay fans asking why he spoke negatively about the gay community in his songs. This changed his approach to his music, explaining, “They was like, ‘Why you keep disrespecting homosexuality?’ I thought about it. I ain’t here to judge ’em, so I just decided not to approach […]

7. Fat Joe

Fat Joe

Fat Joe went as far to say, “Gays run hip-hop,” and encouraged rappers to come out of the closet. ““Keep it real [and say] ‘I’m gay.’ What the f***? That’s your preference. F*** it if the people don’t like it… If you’re gay, rep your set.”

8. Kanye West

Kanye West

Early on his career, some questioned West’s own sexuality, but instead of denying claims, he questioned why it even matters at all, saying, “Not just hip-hop, but America just discriminates. I wanna just, to come on TV and just tell my rappers, just tell my friends, ‘Yo, stop it.’”

9. T-Pain

T-Pain

In an interview with VLAD TV the singer went on a six-minute rant about homophobia, calling it “terrible” and saying that he chooses not to “f*** with” people who shun people because of their sexual orientation.

10. Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj

In 2011 the rapper offered her support, saying to people who deal with thoughts of suicide saying, “I would encourage my gay fans to be fighters and to be brave. People face difficulties, no matter who you are. I faced difficulties with a lot of things. I face opposition every day, but I didn’t kill […]

11. Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

The Los Angeles rapper expressed his support of gay marriage in no uncertain terms. “I don’t give a f–k about people doing what they gotta do. That’s your lifestyle, you dig what I’m saying?” he said. “People gonna be they own individuals and have they own worlds and I can’t knock it.”

12. Lil’ B

Lil’ B

His most famous work of music, the album, “I’m Gay” was an olive branch to the LGBT community, calling out the hip-hop community and industry for the rampant homophobia that has existed for decades.

13. A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky

When speaking to Interview magazine, Rocky said, “One big issue in hip-hop is the gay thing. It’s 2013, and it’s a shame that, to this day, that topic still gets people all excited. It’s crazy. And it makes me upset that this topic even matters when it comes to hip-hop.” Adding, “I treat everybody equal, […]

14. Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons

In an interview with Robert Wolf, the mogul spoke out against homophobia, and bigotry in general. ““You still have the mirrors of our societal sickness: the homophobia, the sexism, the racism, the gangsta stuff,” he said. “You still have all that, but that’s important because they’re not as homophobic as their parents.”

15. Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

When asked about a performance at a gay club, the songstress said, “I love it. I just love my brothers and I love my sisters. I love them all. We’re all in this together. And I have gay friends. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to heal together the way we’ve been healing over […]

16. Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

The actress and show host thanked the gay community for her success, saying, “You know, no one was trying to claim me, nobody wanted me. Black folks didn’t want me. Nobody wanted me. But I’ve always been claimed by the gay community. Always.”

17. Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes

The TV powerhouse made news when she made this statement. “I just got asked ‘WHY ALL THE GAYS ON MY TV SHOWS?’ Okay, here’s my answer: Because I believe everyone should get to see themselves reflected on TV. EVERYONE,” she said. “And because I love all my gay and lesbian friends. AND because I think […]

18. Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington

When honored at the 2015 Vanguard Award, the Scandal actress said, “We need more LGBT characters and more LGBT storytelling. We need more diverse LGBT representation, and by that I mean lots of different kinds of LGBT people living all different kinds of lives…We have to continue to be bold and break new ground until […]

19. Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe

When asked about her role in the film Life Partners, the actress said, “ just really wanted to play a lesbian, which I guess is sort of nerdy. My best friend in the entire world is a lesbian and I just thought it would be fun.”

20. Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson

When asked about the homophobia plotline within Empire, Henson had words of wisdom. “We ignore that. That’s nonsense and that’s fear, so we understand where that’s coming from,” she said. “The numbers speak for themselves. People are dealing with this, it’s not a joke, that’s why it’s in the script.”

21. Rihanna

Rihanna

The pop star is a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, She joined the campaign seeking gay rights in Russia before the Sochi Olympics, and spoke directly to fans in Indiana about the state’s attempt to pass anti-LGBT laws. “I wanna hear you say, ‘F*** that s***.’ ‘Cause we’re just living our mother***ing lives. Indiana!”

22. Jay Z

Jay Z

When speaking on Obama’s decision to legalize gay marriage in the United States, the rapper shared fantastic insight, “It’s no different than discriminating against blacks. It’s discrimination plain and simple…I think [announcing support of gay marriage is] the right thing to do, so whether it costs [Obama] votes or not, again, it’s not about votes. […]

23. Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks

The fashion icon has long worked to help the LGBT cause, using her show, America’s Next Top Model as a platform to put gay, lesbian, and trans people in incredibly positive lights.

24. Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson

The singer and actress has long been a friend to the gay community. She is a campaign ambassador for the “Turn It Up For Change,” campaign, which advocates LGBT rights, and her recent music video, “I Still Love You,” tells the story of a father’s last-minute decision to attend his gay son’s wedding.

25. Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez has long been a supporter of marriage equality. “When it comes to gay marriage, I just believe in love,” she said. “I believe that when two people find each other and love each other, they should be able to spend their lives together with all the same benefits and privileges as everyone.”