This month, to celebrate pride month in the US, Billboard magazine have invited loads of famous people to write open letters to the community to express support as part of the publication’s 30 Days Of Pride celebration that began Thursday.
The collection features beautiful words from everyone from Elton John, Sia, Selena Gomez, Lea Michelle and many, many more.
You can read the entire catalogue here, but here’s a selection of our favourite quotes…
“Marriage equality is the law and that deserves a toast… to all of us, because we’re all unique and beautiful in our own way and entitled to love and be loved by whomever we choose.”
Barbara Streisand
“I have a secret to share with you. You see, it’s actually you that lifts me up. The unwavering loyalty. the lack of judgment. The unapologetic truth. Acceptance! Your stories are what inspire me, bring me joy and make me and my sons strive to be better people.”
Britney Spears
“All of you have made such a positive impact on my life, and I hope and pray that our world will continue to better understand that acceptance and tolerance are virtues that we can never have enough of.”
Celine Dion
“What I envisioned being a simple letter to write is actually much harder than I expected mainly because I keep asking myself, “how can I put into words the immense gratitude that fills my heart?.” I just can’t. And this community, this family of exceptional human beings mean so much to me I feel so much pressure to articulate my love for you all.”
Christina Aguilera
“There was one specific fan, who was one of the first, reached out expressing that he was totally closeted but my song gave him the courage to come out to his family. This truly hit home for me because not only was my art able to create a life-changing moment for another person but that i was able to help someone struggling with the same thing I did.”
Gia
“This isn’t just the community I support. This is my family. I have grown as an artist, and as a person because of my family. I’m a better human, a better actor, a better artist, a stronger person because of the support we’ve given each other.”
Kat Graham
“Pride is a strong word and one I don’t use lightly but there is no better word to represent and celebrate this incredible community of people. I send all my love to the LGBTQ community.”
Lea Michelle
“There is still a significant amount of work to do and I look forward to the day when a person is never judged, discriminated or feared for their sexuality.”
Selena Gomez
“Let’s be open and unite to become beacons of hope and examples of kindness and humanity. This letter comes from love, fierce admiration, and respect. Always remember to come from a place of love, or don’t come at all.”
Nicole Scherzinger