Billy Porter recalls coming of age during the AIDS crisis in emotional speech at Miami Beach Pride
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In a moving speech at Miami Beach Pride, Billy Porter reflected on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community during the AIDS crisis and called for unity and action in the face of current threats.
The Emmy-winning star of the hit show “Pose” was honored with the keys to Miami Beach by city commissioner Alex Fernandez on April 12. During the Pride event, Fernandez praised Porter as “the key to the happiness and joy of so many.” In response, Porter delivered a powerful speech highlighting the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic.
“I was 16 years old at the beginning of the AIDS crisis,” Porter shared. “We didn’t have the luxury to hide. We didn’t have the luxury to not be active. We had to go straight to the front lines to fight for our lives, and that’s exactly what we did. We came together as a community, we fought back, and we succeeded. Yes, the world changed because we came together.”
Porter continued his impassioned plea for unity, stating, “We’re now in a position where we must come together again. We must fight the forces of evil that are trying to destroy us. The one thing that I do know, and the one message that I try to exude everywhere I go, is that the change has already happened. We don’t have any time for fear. There’s no need for silence. We speak, we write, we do language. This is how civilizations heal.”
As an artist, Porter emphasized the importance of using his platform to inspire change and uplift marginalized voices. He expressed gratitude for being able to share his message through his art and urged others to join him in standing up against injustice and oppression.
Drawing parallels to the civil rights movement, Porter invoked the spirit of activism and resistance that has defined previous struggles for equality. He called on the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to find new ways of advocating for change in a rapidly evolving world.
“It’s time for all of us to come together and figure out what ‘going high’ looks like in this new world order,” Porter declared. “It is not 1963. We cannot use the same tactics. I am not a politician, so I don’t know what the answer is. But it’s not what we’re doing now. It’s time to re-engage. It’s time to pay attention again. It’s time to get in these streets again. This is not a parade, it’s a march. That’s what it was when we started. This march [is] political.”
Porter’s emotional speech resonated deeply with attendees at Miami Beach Pride, inspiring many to reflect on their own roles in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to navigate challenges and obstacles, Porter’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity and activism in creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
In conclusion, Billy Porter’s poignant reflections on coming of age during the AIDS crisis serve as a call to action for all members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. His message of resilience, unity, and courage serves as a beacon of hope in a world still grappling with systemic discrimination and prejudice. As we look to the future, let us heed Porter’s words and stand together in our shared pursuit of a brighter and more inclusive tomorrow.
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Miami Beach Pride
