Much like the newly made-great-again country of the United States, Brazil is going through it at this particularly bleak moment in time – and anti-LGBTQ violence is on the rise, horrifyingly.
To raise awareness of the growing problem, Brazilian pop singer-slash-activist Yann enlisted some of the most major names in pop culture around the world to shed light on the epidemic for a charity single called “Igual,” which serves as the theme song for this year’s Rio Pride.
The accompanying music video for the track features split-second cameos made by over two dozen entertainers – including a healing moment of Spearitual hand heart armography performed by The Legendary Miss Britney Spears herself, who, as one would anticipate in times of trouble, has been in Philanthropyney mode for the entirety of 2017. (If you’ve not been following, just cut the ribbon and broke the ice for the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation’s Britney Spears Campus and auctioned off her latest watercolor artsy fartsy flowery masterpiece to Robin Leach for $10,000 to benefit the Vegas Cares fund. And let’s not forget that handwritten love letter to the gays over the summer.)
Celine Dion, Demi Lovato, Lorde, The Chainsmokers, Boy George, Diplo, Chelsea Handler, Melanie C and Jason Mraz are among the many stars who also show their support in the clip.
All proceeds from sales and streaming of “Igual” go to NGO Grupo Arco-Íris, which aids Brazil’s queer community.
“Unfortunately, most of the world isn’t aware that Brazil is an incredibly dangerous place for the LGBTI+ community. It was important for me to help shine a stronger light on what’s happening here, because Brazil’s actually the country with the highest LGBTI+ murder rate in the world. Yet, all of this is disguised under our dichotomous liberal lifestyle,” Yann says.
“Our plurality is awe-inspiring, so it would never be possible to truly represent every facet of our diversity, but I hope that this song and the support of everyone involved will bring more visibility for us to continue to fight towards changing the real situation of what’s being done to our LGBTI+ community. The goal with all this international support is to raise global awareness to what’s happening here. These are also issues being faced by our community in most of the world.”
So, watch the video and do as Godney would want you to do: RT for Brazil – but like, actually. Go call the police, go call the governor, and spread the word.
“Igual” was released on November 8. (Spotify)