Culture

Justin Timberlake declares himself an LGBT+ ally and to quote Oprah, we’ve never heard this from any gay person

Justin Timberlake at a press conference

Justin Timberlake at the “Trolls World Tour” press conference at DreamWorks Animation on 4 February 2020 in Glendale, California. (Photo by Vera Anderson/WireImage)

Justin Timberlake says he feels honoured to be considered an ally to the LGBT+ community.

The actor and singer spoke with GLAAD’s Anthony Ramous about his upcoming film Palmer. During the interview, Timberlake said he was drawn to the movie because of his personal experience of “being a young boy who was into the arts” and who would be bullied for it. 

Palmer is a movie about an ex-convict, played by Timberlake, who strikes up a friendship with a boy who is bullied for playing with dolls and dressing up. The movie also stars Juno Temple and June Squibb and is directed by Fisher Stevens.

Timberlake was asked what the movie taught him about gender expression for young kids. He answered what was “special about what Cheryl [Gurriero, who co-wrote the film] crafted, to begin with — and what we wanted to hold so dear and really try our best to not preach but be the most careful and respectful — is that this is an eight-year-old boy and he likes what he likes.”

Ramos asked Timberlake why it was important for him to be an outspoken supporter of the LGBT+ community. Timberlake responded: “Thank you for saying that. I very much enjoy being an ally, and it’s a true honour anytime someone addresses me that way.”

Justin Timberlake declares himself an ally and the LGBT+ community has thoughts.

However, the internet had a lot of questions about Timberlake’s apparent support for the LGBT+ community. Many people took to Twitter, saying they would not consider Timberlake an ally at all.

In the past, Timberlake has been connected with helping the LGBT+ community. In 2015, he and his wife Jessica Biel received the Inspiration Award at the GLSEN’s Respect Awards for the work they had done for the LGBT+ community. 

Timberlake has in the past said that he was “stoked” New York had introduced marriage equality for gay couples, saying he was proud the state had “the balls to stand up for what’s right”. In 2017, he told anti-LGBT+ bullies to “f**k off” when he accepted an iHeartRadio Music Award.

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