Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down” has become new Pride anthem

Taylor Swift is taking no prisoners when it comes to Pride month. In her latest single, “You Need to Calm Down,” she tackles the topics of gay rights, anti-hate, and ultimately, homophobia.

It’s not often that household names in the music industry are screaming about gay rights and homophobia in their songs. But that’s exactly what Taylor Swift decided to do in her newest song, “You Need to Calm Down,” from her upcoming album, Lover. 

And not only is this song an outcry for equality, it’s also just a genuine BOP that I, and apparently the rest of the world, are living for.

Of course, there are artists like Halsey, Hayley Kiyoko, and Lady Gaga who either identify as somewhere on the queer spectrum or sing about accepting yourself no matter what. But no artist has done quite what Taylor Swift just did: give a shoutout GLAAD, a worldwide organization focusing on queer representation in the media, in her newly released lyric video, while also writing the actual lyrics of, “shade never made anybody less gay.”

Swift’s song isn’t her only contribution to Pride month and helping the LGBTQIA+ community recently. Earlier this month, GLAAD announced that Swift made a “very generous donation” to the organization.

Shortly after, Swift posted a letter she wrote to Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, addressing how she feels about the Equality Act, which protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in the workplace.

Swift has been an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community for some time and is now utilizing her platform for good and positive change. And I think I can speak for most of this community when I say that we’re incredibly thankful.

The queer community has had its battles over the past few years, especially with the change within the American government when Obama left the office and the new president stepped in. But that can’t let us stop fighting for our rights that are slowly being stripped from us. And having someone like Taylor Swift on our side makes it a bit easier.

Swift caught a bit of backlash for not speaking out during the last presidential election, but I think she’s on her way to make up for it now.

Keep your eyes out for the rest of her album that’s dropping on August 23!