June is pride month; everyone is representing their sexuality loud and proud while those who don’t identify as LGBTQ are showing their love and support. Justin Bieber’s dad Jeremy Bieber had quite a bit to say on social media about this matter. On Wednesday, he posted a pride flag with the words “Don’t forget to thank a straight person this month for your existence” coupled with two peace sign emojis on Twitter, according to TMZ:
According to Mr. Bieber, there was no malicious intent behind this post as he later tweeted, “Acknowledging the nuclear family is offensive? My apologies to those offended. Was not my intent. Not that my opinion matters”, he also tweeted: “We need to celebrate families. U know the reason we’re all here! The things this generation glorifies is unbelievable!”, all according to TMZ.
A decent amount of sources believed his apology was very “half-assed” and “fake” TMZ and Advocate amongst them. The 48-year-old posted a follow-up tweet today saying; “My brother is gay and I adore him, Love whomever you want that’s your business not “mine” my problem is the hostile takeover of our cities and schools by LGBTQ this is the concern of many. There is a place for everyone, and everyone’s opinion! That does not equal hate!”, according to Advocate. Bieber’s father is obviously trying to sympathize with the gay community by mentioning his brother, he goes on to say that his issue is the “takeover” of LGBTQ in the cities and schools and that he is not trying to hate on anyone.
It is apparent that Jeremy Bieber is trying to have people acknowledge and appreciate their parents (who were straight, at least at the moment they conceived them) for giving them life. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging/appreciating all people, however, everyone has a right to celebrate and believe in what they wish, some people may not agree with it, but people have the right to believe in what they believe in. It is essential to know that no matter who one is they belong/are accepted, and people must be willing to evolve with the times and not be afraid of change.
This isn’t the first time a celebrity has been bashed for saying something considered to be offensive to the LGBTQ community; in 2020 J.K Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books) was also slammed for tweeting: “People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” Fans reacted and said “she was not being inclusive to the transgender community”, according to Insider. Rowland quickly defended herself and tweeted, “I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so”, also according to Insider.
