Billy Porter releases fierce new Pride anthem ‘Love Yourself’
Billy Porter speaks onstage at the 78th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony on May 18, 2019 in New York City. (Mike Pont/Getty)
Pose star Billy Porter has released a new Pride anthem.
The Grammy and Tony Award-winning star dropped track “Love Yourself” to mark New York City’s World Pride celebrations, which come on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that sparked the modern gay rights movement.
Porter, best known for his roles in Pose and Broadway musical Kinky Boots, is on fabulous form for the new track, which is dedicated to self-acceptance and LGBT+ inclusivity.
Billy Porter: LGBT+ people’s humanity has been up for legislation for too long
He explained: “I’m thrilled to be spreading the message of self-love to my community whose humanity and worth have been up for legislation for way too long.
“On this 50th anniversary of Stonewall I’m proud to unite with my LGBTQ brothers and sisters to remind the world that we’re here and we ain’t goin’ nowhere. Love always wins!”
The track was produced by transgender artist D. Smith.
Smith said: “Billy’s talent and his platform are the perfect vessels for such an urgent message.
“As a proud African-American transgender woman and music producer, I just knew he would be the right messenger for this song and I was right, he killed it!
“It was an amazing experience working with Billy in the studio and I am thrilled to have written and produced the track for him.
“My LGBTQIA+ friends and family need to hear this. The world needs to hear it as well.”
‘Love Yourself’ dubbed an instant gay classic
The track has gone down well online.
One YouTube commenter wrote: “OMFG THIS QUEEN JUST DROPPED AN INSTANT GAY CLASSIC! Praise Billy!”
Another added: “Absolutely a gay & positive ‘feel good’ Classic for years to come! LOVE this Billy! Yes you are unstoppable and SUCH a positive inspiration to SO many!! Spreadin’ the love!”
One quipped: “RuPaul, take a seat there’s a new Mother in the house and she’s slaying it.”
Billy Porter attends FX Network’s Pose season 2 premiere on June 05, 2019 in New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty)
Porter is set to co-host ABC’s telecast of the New York City Pride celebrations, as well as serving as one of the Grand Marshals alongside his Pose co-stars.
Pose season 2 began airing in the US on June 11, though UK fans may be waiting a little longer for the show to return to screens.
At this year’s Met Gala, Porter stole the show on a star-studded red carpet, in a stunning bejewelled catsuit—complete with 10-foot gold wings.
The actor was carried into the Met Gala on a litter carried by six shirtless men.
