Kehlani, Jen Brister and Nicola Coughlan are among those who have spoken out on the humanitarian crisis
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY ARTUROSHOOTS.COM
Earlier this month, the Met Gala took place. It’s always been a show of fashion, wealth, status and celebrity. This year, however, it also took place as many of us were watching in real-time as the humanitarian crisis that has been taking place in Gaza for months and months intensified.
Many users across social media began drawing comparisons to the high glamour of the Met Gala and the military bombardment taking place simultaneously in the southern Gazan city of Rafah. Many likened the Met Gala to the dystopian world of The Hunger Games. Users began creating content comparing the two events, condemning celebrity attendees for not using the opportunity to speak up for Palestinians.
In the weeks that have followed #Blockout2024 has gone viral across social media platforms. But what is this block out? It is sparked by people collectively reacting to celebrities who have remained silent on the ongoing crisis by blocking them across social media platforms as well as updating their settings to block out content relating to said individuals, including collaborations with sponsors.
It’s clearly some impact. Taylor Swift is arguably the biggest celebrity in the world right now, and known for having a fierce and dedicated fandom. At the time of writing, she has lost nearly 400,000 followers since 9 May.
If you’re wondering which public figures have been raising their voices on the matter, I’ve compiled a list of just some LGBTQIA celebrities and allies who have called for a ceasefire and spoken out on the current crisis.
Hunter Schafer
Throughout her career the trans actor and activist has used her platform to speak out on a range of social justice issues. Earlier this year, she was arrested at a pro-Palestine protest organised by Jewish Voice For Peace. She was seen being put in custody wearing a t-shirt that read “Ceasefire Now”.
Kehlani
The American singer-songwriter has consistently been one of the most vocal celebrities on the current situation in Gaza. They have constantly expressed their unwavering support of Palestine, has urged for a ceasefire and has called out other celebrities for their silence on the current situation in Gaza. On 15 October 2023, Kehlani took to their Instagram stories and addressed their industry peers: “What the f— is wrong with y’all? You’re being silent for the sake of money and business like that amounts to what the f— is going on. There’s an insane amount of unchecked privilege on literal f—ing display. It is gut-wrenching; it is disgusting.”
Nicola Coughlan
Irish actor Nicola Coughlan is arguably at the height of her career. Earlier this year the Derry Girls star was one of two leads in a new British series, Big Mood and yesterday (16 May), we saw her step into the romantic lead role of season three of Bridgerton.
She’s consistently worn her Ceasefire pin in interviews and during press shoots and has used her social media platforms to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She has made sure to be extra loud at times when she knows she’ll have the most eyes and ears on her.
Indya Moore
POSE’s Indya Moore has been extremely vocal in her solidarity with Palestinians and her calls for a ceasefire. She was among LGBTQIA celebrities such as Munroe Bergdorf and Susan Sarandon who used their voices to read letters from Gazans and raise awareness on what it is like for Palestinians living under Israel’s ongoing bombardments on the Gaza Strip.
Jen Brister
Openly-gay British comedian Jen Brister has spoken a lot about the conflict in Gaza. She’s created a fundraiser which aims to evacuate 10 families in Gaza. At the time of writing £69,330 of its £100,000 target. You can donate here. She has also used her platform to consistently raise awareness on the humanitarian crisis.
Cynthia Nixon
Back in November, the Sex And The City actor joined activists and lawmakers gathering outside the White House and participated in a hunger strike calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
In an interview with The Cut, she explained why she was using her platform to call for a ceasefire: “Two of my three children are Jewish. My oldest son in particular is extremely involved in the movement for justice for Palestinians and has been very active in Chicago, where he lives and was arrested for his protest about a week and a half ago. When this was starting, we spent a lot of time on the phone with him. He was doing everything he could in terms of protests, speeches, speaking in articles. He said to my wife and me point-blank, ‘You have a much bigger megaphone than I do. And I just implore you at this moment to do everything you can to bring attention to this.’ His Jewish identity is very central to him. He’s the grandson of two Holocaust survivors. He said, for him, ‘never again’ means never again for everyone.”
This was not the first time Cynthia had spoken out on the conflict. She was one of more than 260 artists who signed an open letter calling for President Biden and Congress to commit to a ceasefire.
Sara Ramírez
The non-binary Grey’s Anatomy actor’s Instagram timeline is jam-packed with posts raising awareness on the current situation in Gaza. As well as being active on social media, they have spoken at various protests in real life. They’ve also slammed the entertainment industry in an Instagram post, writing: “Our industry is so duplicitous. While they give awards away, casting directors and agents are making blacklists of actors and workers who post anything in support of Palestinians in Gaza to ensure they will not work again.” Despite this, it’s clear Sara will not back down when it comes to speaking out on this issue.
Sepideh Moafi
Beloved by many a DIVA for portraying The L Word: Generation Q’s Gigi Ghorbani the Iranian-American actor and singer has used her platform to raise awareness in a big way. She’s an ambassador for International Rescue Committee which is an organisation that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The actor has used her platform to raise awareness of the realities of Palestinians in Gaza. She’s taken part in a video series that goes in-depth into South Africa’s dossier charging Israel with genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Reneé Rapp
Lesbian musician and actor Reneé Rapp is another celebrity who has spoken out at the height of her career. During her acceptance speech at the GLAAD Awards, she called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
@popbase #reneerapp calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza on stage during her acceptance speech at the #glaad Awards. #foryou #fyp #popculture #fypシ #glaadawards #music #popbase #popbasetv #popbasenews ♬ original sound – Pop Base
Boygenius
Lucy Dacus, Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers are the musicians who make up the all-sapphic supergroup that is boygenius. As well as all wearing their ceasefire pins during their 2024 Grammy red carpet looks they were all also among the 300+ LGBTQIA artists who signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, and a boycott of Israel.
Dua Lipa
The gay icon is among some of the celebrities who have shown support for Palestine long before 2023. Earlier this year, she has called for a ceasefire and urged world leaders to take action. Speaking to Rolling Stone back in January the musician said: “My feelings on displaced people [are] very real and raw, and it is a difficult subject to speak about because it’s so divisive. But there is a world where you can feel for all lives that are being lost.”
Hozier
The Irish singer-songwriter is another celebrity who has advocated for Palestine long before the events that took place starting in 2023. Back in February while performing in Arizona, he called for a Palestine free from occupation and violence.
Emma Seligman
The queer and Jewish director is another artist who has consistently made pro-Palestine posts online over the years. She joined queer celebs such as boygenius, Hari Nef and Angelica Ross in signing the open letter calling for a ceasefire. She’s also offered a tea-spilling session with herself as well as a prop from Shiva Baby in the Cinema for Gaza auction.
Ayo Edebiri
Like her Bottom’s director, the queer actor has also participated in the Cinema for Gaza auction. She’s offered bidders the chance to win a curated Google map of her favourite restaurants and a Zoom call with her to rave about them – because yes, just like the character she portrays in The Bear, she’s a massive foodie. Ayo has also spoken out on her Instagram stories and reshared pro-Palestinian content made by other celebrities.
Susan Sarandon
The Oscar-winning bisexual actor has spoken out about a range of social issues throughout her career. She has advocated for trans people and has been critical of Hillary Clinton’s problematic record on LGBTQIA rights. She has also consistently called for a ceasefire despite being dropped by her talent agency (UTA) last year for speaking at a pro-Palestine rally.
Melissa Barrera
Last year, the Mexican actor was fired from Scream 7 by Spyglass for her pro-Palestine social media posts. She did not let this silence her and continued to speak out and raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis. She was also one of the actors to offer up a Zoom call for the bidders taking part in Cinema for Gaza.
Alice Oseman
The Heartstopper writer and producer recently raised funds for Save the Children’s Gaza Emergency Appeal. They stated that: “I am so pleased to present a fundraiser for Save the Children’s Gaza Emergency Appeal, which is providing urgent aid to children and families suffering due to the ongoing situation in Gaza. Signed books, rare merchandise, and a chance to win an original drawing by me will be available until May 17th.”
Angelica Ross
The actor and trans activist was one of the celebrities to sign the open letter calling for a ceasefire. Not only has she used her social media platform to raise awareness about what is taking place in Gaza, but she’s also used it to highlight the humanitarian crises occurring in places such as Congo.
MUNA
Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson aka queer af pop group MUNA were also signees of the ceasefire open letter. They’ve also used their individual Instagram accounts to raise awareness on the situation in Gaza.
Rosie O’Donnell
The A League Of Their Own star has a long history of speaking out for Palestinian liberation that can be tracked back to 2010. She was among the celebrities such as Annie Lennox and Cynthia Nixon who collaborated on a TikTok and Reel addressed to First Lady Jill Biden on Mother’s Day calling on her to use her impact to demand a ceasefire.
Annie Lennox
The singer-songwriter and political activist is another celebrity who has transformed her Instagram timeline into what equates to an information board about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Tilda Swinton
The queer icon and actor offered a bedtime story for the Cinema for Gaza auction and has called for a ceasefire through signing an open letter.
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