FEATURE:
RENAISSANCE
IN THIS PHOTO: Beyoncé shot for British Vogue in 2022/PHOTO CREDIT: Rafael Pavarotti
Should Artists Commit to Not Playing Countries Who Do Not Recognise L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ and Women’s Rights?
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THERE was division and controversy…
IN THIS PHOTO: West Bay, Doha, Qatar/PHOTO CREDIT: Masarath Alkhaili/Unsplash
last year when the World Cup took place in Qatar. A nation that has abhorrent laws when it comes to same-sex relationships, their idea of morals and decency essentially wipes out and victimised the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community. I guess, if we are talking about the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ spectrum and rainbow, then this feature is predominantly aimed at lesbian, gay and bi-sexual people – but the entire community and spectrum does not to be represented. To be fair, I think that anyone who does not identify as heterosexual and remains very prim and proper is subjected to the vilest and most inhumane repercussions. Artists did boycott the World Cup last year. To be fair, so should have the England football team. That is a debate and rant for another day! It can be a tricky issue when musicians are asked to perform in nations that have terrible human rights records. Countries where great sects of their society are imprisoned and sometimes killed for their sexual orientation. I was pretty much black-and-white when it came to Qatar. My feeling was then and always will be that no artist with any shred of decency and respect for the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A+ community should have gone there. The nation also has an abysmal record when it comes to women’s rights. I am, not going to blanket the Middle East as being restrictive, regressive and inhuman. Not all nations here have such repellent and Stone Age attitudes. That said, it is a part of the globe I don’t think any artist needs to perform in. It is a shame for fans there but, as I have discussed when it comes to Israel – artists have cancelled performing here because of the nation’s occupation of Palestine -, going to these places can make things worse. Artists want to please fans but, politically and morally, they need to think about the wider population and their ethics. The World Cup is an occasion where I think no artists should have gone.
IN THIS PHOTO: Dua Lipa/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
Dua Lipa was accused of playing in Qatar but, as she is someone who has these morals and has a lot of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ and female fans, it would have been a hugely controversial and risky thing to do. In a lot of cases, it is labels that put pressure on their artists to go to these places. Look at the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ rights in the U.A.E. Or the lack thereof! It is another nation that, whether too bound by religion or a diseased vision of human decency and what makes someone immoral and prehensive, should be a no-go zone for artists. Does money dictate and direct artists too much? Even if you are represented your country, I feel the best way to honour them is to boycott nations that treat certain people so evilly. Someone who has a legion of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ fans is Beyoncé. Where footballer David Beckham recently received a barrage of criticism for helping the Qatari government advertise and promote the World Cup, Beyoncé has not received the same backlash. At the weekend, she performed in the city of Dubai. Again, this is a part of the world where gay rights are not on the agenda. If you are a westerner who is able to use their economic advantage to form communities out of danger, then things are not as bad. For everyone else, they risk their lives and liberty! The fact that Beyoncé came back to the stage after five years and performed for fans (albeit a select group) is fantastic. She always delivers an incredible set and, even though songs from RENAISSANCE (her latest album) were not played, it sounded like a great performance.
Though nothing can ever match her headlining Coachella back in 2018, I do think that she is one of the greatest artists of her generation. An inspiration to millions, there has been division around Beyoncé’s performance in Dubai. The reason for her performance is explained by the BBC in this article:
“Beyoncé has returned to the stage for her first live performance in five years - but not everyone's excited.
The US megastar headlined the private concert in Dubai to mark the opening of luxury hotel Atlantis The Royal.
Despite a strict no-phones policy at the exclusive, 1,500-seat gig, footage of the show flooded the internet.
Many fans were thrilled to see the return of Queen B, but others weren't happy because Dubai has strict laws against same-sex relationships.
Renaissance, her latest album, has been celebrated for "honouring black queer culture" and taking inspiration from LGBT icons.
It pays tribute to dance music that emerged out of the gay community and also references 1800s drag ballrooms in Harlem, New York.
So it's left some fans uncomfortable that the singer would make her live return in a nation which doesn't recognise LGBT rights.
'One rule for one'
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Middle Eastern country made up of seven regions that follow strict laws and have rules against homosexuality.
Nearby Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, has similar rules.
It was criticised for its attitude to LGBT people, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.
David Beckham faced backlash - most famously from comedian Joe Lycett - for signing a big-money deal with the Qatari government to advertise the event.
Like Beyoncé, he has been celebrated within the LGBT community and posed on the cover of best-selling gay magazine Attitude in 2002.
But so far the criticism of the singer hasn't been as fierce.
Drag Race UK star Kitty Scott-Claus asked whether there was "one rule for one and one rule for another", referring to the backlash against Beckham.
But not all fans have been critical - some have said the UAE and surrounding countries aren't alone in their stance on LGBT rights and shouldn't be singled out.
And others have pointed out differences, such as Beyoncé being paid by a business for a private event, while Beckham was paid by the government to actively promote the country”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Comedian Joe Lycett was among those who criticised David Beckham’s decision to act as an ambassador in Qatar/PHOTO CREDIT: Rob Parfitt/Channel 4
I have boundless respect for Beyoncé. In this instance, opening a fancy hotel seems like a misguided reason to perform in Dubai. It is hard to see any real reason why it would outweigh the massive downsides of the country when it comes to the nation. It once again raises questions as to why artists – with or without as large L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ fanbase – perform in countries that have such horrendous laws. Beyoncé is not the only artists in recent years who has caused a stir when it comes to appearing in countries with terrible human rights records. It does make me think what the point is. Something as gaudy, crass and ridiculous and needlessly decedent as a luxury hotel. It is hard to see what the angle or motivation was beyond money. Whether Beyoncé decided to do it, or whether her label and management insisted she do, the whole situation seems very weird, random and tone-deaf. It is sad that loving and accepting fans in these countries will miss out, but surely every artist should boycott places like Dubai and Qatar without question?! If you want to protest and show your dismay and anger at their savage and disgusting attitudes and laws, then you can do so from your own country. A big artist like Beyoncé can play a huge show in the U.S. and highlight the injustices in these places! There is no doubt that she is against the stringent laws in Dubai, but she couldn’t well voice that at this corporate and high-profile event where she was very much expected to perform and nothing more.
PHOTO CREDIT: Teddy O/Unsplash
What motivation is there for any artist to perform in countries and places that have no respect for women or the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community?! I know that Dubai is a lot better when it comes to women’s rights - gender equality is of paramount importance in the UAE -, but there is still the issue around L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ rights. Nobody is forcing them too and, if buckets of cash is the reason you are doing this, then that pretty horrifying! None of these major artists are in any dire needs of financial support, so is greed outweighing moral obligations? I know it more complex than that, but there does need to be change. I can imagine artists performing in the U.A.E. or Qatar or wherever are always conscious about what they say and what they wear. They do not have the freedom and reins to perform as comfortably and confidently as they otherwise would. Do these gigs raise artists’ profiles and send out a positive message? I don’t think so on both fronts. There should be moves towards positivity, inclusiveness and affecting change. Performing in nations dominated by medieval laws and barbarism seems like a massive step back! Unless I am missing something obvious? Sadly, I think we will see a lot more occasions where artists either perform one-off gigs in ‘red zone’ areas, or they include it as a leg of their tours. There are ramifications about deliberately excluding countries. Fans will suffer and lose out. That is unfair, I admit. Artists do not need to go to areas of the world that seemingly have no respect for human life. It baffles me. I hope that the debate and split in opinion following Beyoncé’s Dubai gig focuses attention to an issue that has been ongoing for decades. Why do artists feel the need to make seemingly ill-judged decisions like this?! A blanket refusal by all musicians to play in places like Qatar and across the U.A.E. sends out a message that all good people in music understand. And that is that we will not accept or tolerate any forms of human rights abuse. Whether that is against women or L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ people, there needs to be a united stand and solidarity. That is the only way…
THINGS will ever change.