Madonna turned up at Stonewall Inn and gave rousing speech to ring in 2019
Madonna speaks at the Stonewall Inn
Madonna made a surprise appearance at New York City’s iconic Stonewall Inn on New Year’s Eve.
The original Queen of Pop made an appearance at the gay bar, which was made a National Monument by President Barack Obama in 2016 to recognise its role at the origin of the LGBT+ rights movement.
The packed crowd at the venue were stunned by the unannounced appearance, as Madonna delivered an emotional speech about LGBT+ equality.
Madonna paid tribute to the LGBT+ community
She said: “I stand here proudly at the place where pride began, the legendary Stonewall Inn, on the birth of a new year.
“We come together tonight to celebrate 50 years of revolution, 50 years of freedom fighting, 50 years of blood, sweat, and tears. Can I get an amen?
“50 years of sacrifice, 50 years of standing up to discrimination, hatred and, worst of all, indifference. And it all started here, at Stonewall.
“Our brothers and sisters before us weren’t free to celebrate like we are tonight, and we must never forget that.”
— Madonna
“Let us never forget the Stonewall riots and those who bravely stood up and said, ‘enough.’
“Enough brutality. Enough violence inflicted on this community. Enough stigmatism. Enough pain and suffering.
“Our brothers and sisters before us weren’t free to celebrate like we are tonight, and we must never forget that.”
She added: “Stonewall has become a critical turning point in history, catapulting LGBTQ rights into public conversation, and awakening gay activism. F**k yeah!”
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the star described 2018 as a “b***h” of a year, adding: “Aren’t we happy to say, ‘goodbye b***h!'”
Madonna also surprised the crowd with a performance of “Like A Prayer” as well as Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” accompanied by her youngest son David.
The Stonewall Inn thanked Madonna for the surprise appearance
The star has been an unwavering LGBT+ ally across her decades-spanning career, most notably including a leaflet with facts about the AIDS crisis in every copy of her 1989 album Like a Prayer.
In her speech, Madonna said: “”I have had the privilege of using my art as a vehicle for change. To provoke, to inspire, to wake people up, and to bring the LGBTQ community with me.”
“There is so much destruction in the world, but you cannot stop art, and creation always wins in the end. As we move forward, let’s not forget the work we had to do from the ground up.
“We must never forget where we’ve been. and the challenges and roadblocks along the way. We must never forget where we came from.”
