I’m deeply honored to have been included in Billboard’s 2025 Pride List, especially in a year when we’re witnessing governments, companies, and organizations withdrawing their support for LGBTQ+ rights across the world. We won’t budge, we won’t take a step back, not even to gather momentum. I’m humbly doing what I can in my sphere of influence, making conscious decisions to include more people from the community in our playlists, embracing diversity, and better reflecting the true richness of the music industry.
This is not forced inclusion: we, the LGBTQ+ people, exist. We are your brothers, your sisters, your siblings, your friends, your family, your peers, your neighbors. We are here. We DESERVE to be represented. We DESERVE to have role models.
My generation lost an entire generation of performers, artists, singers, executives, and leaders to the HIV pandemic. We can only imagine what these brilliant minds would have achieved today, and I want to honor their memory and the paths they blazed for us.
Last but not least: there is no LGB without T. They will try to divide us, but they shall not succeed. Our strength lies in our unity, our diversity, and our unwavering commitment to equality for all.
To the young LGBTQ+ artists and industry professionals: your voice matters, your art matters, and your presence enriches our industry beyond measure. And thanks
@marcos_ilustra for the beautiful creativities 😍 #billboardpride
