Connect with us

Arts & Entertainment

‘Can’t Cancel Pride’ kick-offs celebration with star-studded livestream

The second annual event will raise much-needed funds for LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19.

Published

on

Image via iHeartMedia

For the second year in a row, iHeartMedia is stepping up with a star-studded virtual celebration designed to keep the spirit of Pride alive and well during the still-ongoing restrictions of the Covid pandemic ā€“ and to raise some much-needed funds for the LGBTQ+ community.

ā€œCanā€™t Cancel Pride,ā€ presented by iHeart and Procter & Gamble, is a virtual relief benefit for the LGBTQ+ community, featuring performances and appearances from the most influential voices in the community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment. Itā€™s the second installment for the livestreamed event, following a successful 2020 presentation which raised over $4 million to benefit the LGBTQ+ communities most impacted by COVID-19. This yearā€™s event has a goal to raise even more in 2021, as the pandemic continues to have a damaging effect on the fundraising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive.

The lineup of talent involved is truly stellar. Among the names scheduled to appear are Bebe Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Busy Phillips, Demi Lovato, Gus Kenworthy, Hayley Kiyoko, Jennifer Hudson, JoJo Siwa, Lil Nas X, Marshmello, MJ Rodriguez, Nina West, P!NK, Ricky Martin, Regard, Troye Sivan, Tate McRae, and many more. Diamond-selling singer-songwriter Rexha will also join iHeartMedia on-airĀ personality Elvis Duran as host, as well as performing her new single ā€œSacrifice.ā€

The ā€œCanā€™t Cancel Prideā€ livestream is just the beginning of iHeartā€™s Pride month. The event will kick off a month-long celebration throughout June, with iHeartMedia radio stations airing spots to encourage listeners to watch the event on demand, share their special Pride moments on social media using the hashtag #CantCancelPride,Ā and support the participating nonprofits by visitingĀ cantcancelpride.comĀ or texting ā€œRAINBOWā€ to 56512.

ā€œAs the country is returning back to normal and we are slowly starting to gather again, LGBTQ+ communities around the world are still feeling the devastating effects of COVID-19,ā€ says iHeartMediaā€™s Chief Marketing Officer, Gayle Troberman. ā€œWe look forward to once again celebrating the incredible voices and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with an amazing night of music that will honor Pride and the communitiesā€™ fight for equal rights, all while benefiting six remarkable nonprofits that make an everyday positive impact.ā€

Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer for P&G, says, ā€œā€™Canā€™t Cancel Prideā€™ is about creating visibility for the LGBTQ+ community and showing them they are not alone. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic remains heightened for LGBTQ+ people, who continue to face issues driven by persistent bias, intolerance and inequality. We want to use our voice to help bring much needed resources, support, acts of good, and love to this remarkable and resilient community.ā€Ā Ā 

Last yearā€™s month-long celebration provided critical resources for its six nonprofit partners, including:

  • Helping CenterLink provide microgrants to 190+ LGBTQ+ community centers and organizations.
  • Supporting The Trevor Projectā€™s lifeline, chat, and text crisis services, which served more than 14,000 crisis contacts from LGBTQ+ young people in June 2020 alone.
  • Aideing SAGE in forging connections and reducing isolation for LGBT elders during the pandemic.
  • Contributing to the National Black Justice Coalitionā€™s federal public policy work and Youth And Young Adult Action Council.
  • Distributing proceeds to benefit LGBTQ+ individuals around the world through OutRight Action Internationalā€™s COVID-19 Global LGBTIQ Emergency Fund.
  • Supported GLAADā€™s Spirit Day, the worldā€™s largest LGBTQ+ anti-bullying campaign.

P&G is joined in supporting ā€œCanā€™t Cancel Prideā€ by several other brand sponsors, including Allē by Allergan Aesthetics, Dawn, General Motors, The Art of Shaving and GilletteLabs, Bounty, Charmin, Jared, Puffs, Downy, Tide, OLAY, and Titoā€™s Handmade Vodka.

The one-hour benefit specialĀ produced by iHeartMedia and P&GĀ will stream on June 4, at 9 p.m., on iHeartRadioā€™sTikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadioā€™s PrideRadio.com andĀ Revry,Ā as well asĀ broadcasting on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio App. The event will be available on demand via iHeartRadioā€™sĀ TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram TV pages, iHeartRadioā€™s PrideRadio.com andĀ RevryĀ throughout Pride Month until Wednesday, June 30.

For those among you who are vaxxed and ready to enjoy an in-person kick-off to Pride Month, June 4 is also the first night of OUTLOUD: Raising Voices, a three-day live concert event series at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A global Pride celebration that will be also be streamed (for free) around the world, the event will join forces with Pride Live’s Stonewall Day to present a stellar line-up of performers curated by none other than Adam Lambert on behalf of the Feel Something Foundation. Sofi Tukker headlines on June 4, with Hayley Kiyoko topping the bill on June 5, and Lambert himself leading the pack for closing night on June 6. Additional acts performing during the weekend will include Daya, Tygapaw, Ryan Cassata, Madeline the Person, Mykki Blanco, Madame Gandhi, Malia Civetz, Vincint (feat. Parson James, Queen Herby and Ty Sutherland), Sam Sparro, Angel Bonilla, and many others. For details and tickets to the live event, visit the OUTLOUD website.

Advertisement
FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM
SIGN UP FOR E-BLAST

Photos

PHOTOS: New York City Pride Parade

Annual LGBTQ march held in Manhattan

Published

on

The 2024 New York City Pride Parade was held on June 30. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The 2024 New York City Pride Parade wound through the streets of Manhattan and past the historic Stonewall Inn on Sunday, June 30.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Fredericksburg Pride

Fourth annual LGBTQ march and festival held in Virginia town

Published

on

The 2024 Fredericksburg Pride March wound through the streets of Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The fourth annual Fredericksburg Pride march and festival was held at Riverfront Park in Fredericksburg, Va. on Saturday, June 29. The event began with a march around downtown Fredericksburg beginning and ending in the park.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

Continue Reading

Photos

PHOTOS: Goodwin Living Pride

Senior living and healthcare organization holds fourth annual march at Falls Church campus

Published

on

Drag artist Crimsyn marches alongside residents and supporters at the fourth annual Goodwin Living Bailey's Crossroads community Pride march on June 25. (Photo courtesy of Goodwin Living)

The senior living and healthcare organization Goodwin Living held its fourth annual community Pride march around its Bailey’s Crossroads campus in Falls Church, Va. with residents, friends and supporters on Tuesday, June 25. Following the march, a drag brunch was held with performances by drag artists of SADBrunch: Crimsyn, Sapphire Dupree and Evon Dior Michelle.

(Photos courtesy of Goodwin Living)

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Sign Up for Weekly E-Blast

Follow Us @washblade

Advertisement

Popular