Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at New York City’s iconic Stonewall Inn on Friday night, after dropping a new single protesting homophobia.
After dropping a new Pride anthem on Friday (June 14), the singer made a surprise appearance at the Stonewall Inn, which is this month marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that sparked the modern LGBT+ rights movement.
Swift appeared on stage as a special guest during a show from Modern Family‘s Jesse Tyler Ferguson, performing her hit “Shake It Off.”
Speaking to the crowd, Swift said: “It’s an absolute honor to be here at the Stonewall Inn.
“Thank you for being so wonderful, it’s so fun dancing with you. Happy Pride month!”
Ferguson tweeted: “I’m so happy I don’t have to keep this secret any longer.
“Look who came to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall at the Stonewall Inn. @taylorswift13, you are a gem.
“Thank you for everything you do for the LGBTQ community. We you! ”
The pop star released new single “You Need To Calm Down” on Friday (June 14) in which the singer directly calls out homophobia, just in time for Pride Month.
On the track, she sings: ““You are somebody that we don’t know/But you’re coming at my friends like a missile/Why are you mad?/When you could be GLAAD?”
Meanwhile, the release of “You Need To Calm Down” has motivated Taylor Swift fans to donate to LGBT+ charity GLAAD en masse.
GLAAD reported “an influx in small donations in the amount of $13,” referencing the singer’s favorite number.
GLAAD is capitalizing on its Taylor Swift connection
The charity also revealed that the singer had also made “a very generous donation” herself ahead of the track’s release, just one of many donations to LGBT+ causes that Swift has made.
The charity is seeking to capitalize on the new single by offering free stickers to people who donate $13 or more.
Anthony Ramos, Director of Talent Engagement at GLAAD, said: “Taylor Swift is one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
“The fact that she continues to use her platform and music to support the LGBTQ community and the Equality Act is a true sign of being an ally.
“‘You Need to Calm Down’ is the perfect Pride anthem, and we’re thrilled to see Taylor standing with the LGBTQ community to promote inclusivity, equality, and acceptance this Pride month.”
GLAAD is capitalizing on its Taylor Swift connection
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said: “Taylor Swift continues to use her platform to speak out against discrimination and create a world where everyone can live the life they love.
“GLAAD is so thankful for her donation to support our advocacy efforts and for her ongoing work to speak out for what is fair, just, and LGBTQ inclusive.
“In today’s divisive political and cultural climate, we need more allies like Taylor, who send positive and uplifting messages to LGBTQ people everywhere.”