From her endless amount of tweets asserting her support of the LGBT community, to her beautiful portrayal of a lesbian character on FOX's hit show Glee, pop sensation Demi Lovato has never failed to stand up as a loud and proud ally- but her new music video for "Really Don't Care," released today, is the ultimate display of support and love.
You may know her as the adorable actress who shone in the Disney Channel's hit 2008 musical movie Camp Rock, the young star of Disney Channel's series Sonny with a Chance, the multi-platinum recording artist belting out songs like "Neon Lights" and "Give Your Heart a Break," or the witty judge who sat next to Simon Cowell for two seasons on the United States version of The X Factor. If you are a Lovatic like myself, who closely follows the life and career of 21-year-old Demi Lovato, then you know that through all of her fame and fortune, she has remained open and honest with her millions of fans about her struggles with bullying, addiction, an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, and self harm. Her courage to be true and authentic while remaining under the gaze of millions of followers has helped many young fans, including LGBT children and teens, to speak their own truths and stay strong.
But on top of inspiring others by telling her own story, Demi has also inspired others by repeatedly voicing her support for the LGBT community. She accepted a guest role on Gleein 2013 as the love interest of Naya Rivera's character Santana, and said she hoped the role would bring primetime television attention to the LGBT community as well as "inspire people with my character to love who they are and accept who they are." Later in 2013 Demi participated in GLAAD's Spirit Day as a Spirit Day Ambassador, where she wore purple and urged others to do so as well, to stand up against bullying and in support of LGBT youth.
Demi has even reached out to her young LGBT fans around the world. Before her tour stopped in Chile this past May, she recorded an important message for her Chilean and Latin American fans, letting them know that they are not alone if they are victims of bullying, and urging them to visit the website and use the resources of Todo Mejora (the It Gets Better Project's Latin American affiliate).
Demi has also taken to Twitter to tweet out her support, speaking up for marriage equality (using lyrics from her chart-topping song “Made in the USA” to do so)
Applauding the Supreme Court's decisions that struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8
Gay, straight, lesbian, bi.. No one is better than any one else. What an incredible day for California AND for equality.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) June 26, 2013
And even promoting the 2013 documentary Bridegroom that covered the tragic story of Shane Bitney's struggles after the sudden death of his partner Tom (after which Bitney told Demi how much her inspirational song “Skyscraper” helped him through a dark time)
Please help @ShaneBitney spread the message of what true love really is and how no one should ever discriminate.. RIP Tom.. #bridegroom
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) May 8, 2014
Now with Pride Month in full swing, Demi has joined in on the action. She rode atop a colorful float as Grand Marshal at the L.A Pride Parade on June 8th, and had a lot of fun!
But what made it even more exciting was that the L.A. festivities served as the set where she shot the new music video released today. And coming up this weekend, Demi is performing at NYC Pride's Dance on the Pier on June 29th. She said in a statement:
"It’s such an honor to be a part of both L.A. and NYC Pride celebrations this year. I have been an active advocate of the LGBT community and am wholly committed to supporting individuality and being comfortable in one’s own skin. I am thrilled to be a part of both events as they are a wonderful celebration of independence and self-confidence."
Furthermore, Demi attended Logo Trailblazers, an event honoring pioneers who have made strides for the LGBT community. Before she presented an award to Danielle Brooks, Laverne Cox, Lea DeLaria, Taryn Manning, and Samira Wiley on behalf of their hit GLAAD Media Award winning show Orange is the New Black, she spoke in honor of her grandfather and said:
"I've never spoken about this before, but my grandfather was a trailblazer himself. He was brave enough to come out in the 1960s, and I feel that a lot of my spirit has come from him. He passed away a few years later and I only wish he could have been able to see all the progress that has been made. It's such an honor to be welcomed and embraced by the LGBT community, so thank you very much."
Get More: 2014 Logo Trailblazers, Logo TV
I speak for myself and (I think) the entire LGBT community when I say, "No, thank YOU very much, Demi."
Catch Demi and all of the trailblazers on the one-hour Trailblazers special which airs tonight on Logo TV at 9PM ET, and watch her newly-released, pride-filled, colorful music video for "Really Don't Care" right here: