Queen Latifah to headline Gay Pride Festival
Queen Latifah will headline the 29th annual Long Beach, Calif. Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival on May 19.
“From hip hop to R&B to standards, Queen Latifah is the voice of our generation, and her concert here will be phenomenal,” event co-president Pat Crosby said in a statement posted on the festival’s web site. “For her to make her worldwide pride debut here in Long Beach is a tremendous testament to the popularity of our celebration and to the strength of our community.”
Latifah is known for keeping her private life private, but the announcement has generated buzz and commentary.
“Many speculate that the actress/singer plans to formally come out during the big event, but that’s her business, not ours,” celebrity blogger Perez Hilton wrote on his web site. ”Gay or straight, it really doesn’t matter.”
NewNowNext.com noted a variety of entertainers including Katy Perry and Lady Gaga have performed at gay pride events, adding, “”It could mean nothing or it could mean Miss Latifah will have have a big announcement next weekend.”
The artist hasn’t commented on her web site or Twitter feed, where a recent post says simply, “Peace and love to all of my fans and friends worldwide!”
Latifah (also known as Dana Owens) spends a good bit of time in Atlanta. She just wrapped filming on the remake of Steel Magnolias, directed by Kenny Leon and headed for Lifetime this fall. Last year she and Dolly Parton were here filming “Joyful Noise,” a movie about members of a small-town church who overcome challenges to compete in a national choir competition. And she is executive producer of the VH1 show “Single Ladies,” which is filmed here.
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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62 comments Add your comment
Carole Smith
May 9th, 2012
8:12 am
It’s been rumored for years that Queen Latifah is gay. Whats the big deal? She’s still talented, pretty and seemingly a nice person. Live and let live.
Rick James
May 9th, 2012
8:15 am
Finally….She’s such an asset now that she no longer has to worry about what people will think.Good for her.
Eric
May 9th, 2012
8:15 am
I agree with Carol Smith. Who really cares anymore. She’s beautiful, talented and successful and people love her. Big freakin deal! This is no news; however, I’m sure there will be plenty of negative comments to follow.
Sunny
May 9th, 2012
8:51 am
Queen Latifah is a beautiful person, both inside and out. While I do not equate a performance at a gay pride event with a “coming out” party, I couldn’t care less about her sexual preference and I applaud her for keeping her private life separate from her public persona. Knock ‘em dead, Queen!
anonymous
May 9th, 2012
8:58 am
You people are so two-faced and three-faced. All Tyler Perry does is try to promote good, helping others and everything. Yet y’all SLAM the man and accuse him of being gay as if he should go to hayell!! Then along comes Latifah who might be gay and suddenly it’s the most GLORIOUS thing in the whole universe!
Ya two-faced sad little hipocrites! (I forgot how to spell that!)
Taboo
May 9th, 2012
9:11 am
And Queen, you’ll still be, THE QUEEN!!! Go girl!!
JF McNamara
May 9th, 2012
9:20 am
I thought it was common knowledge. There are many pictures of her and her girlfriend snuggling up.
atlnative
May 9th, 2012
9:25 am
Anybody who cares believe Queen Latifah and fitness guru Jeanette Jenkins are romantically linked. If the “Queen” wants to be a part of the Gay-Pride Festival, what the _ _ _ _ is the the problem?
la
May 9th, 2012
9:29 am
i mean really we all know and have known for years queen latifah has sugar in her tank sure shes gay but that has absolutely nothing to do with her accomplishments and her ability to uplift the black community thru her music,tv,etc..young black woman should use her life and career as an example of the strength and endurance of black woman as a whole regardless of her sexual preference..
John
May 9th, 2012
9:54 am
I remember dancing at Backstreet with her and a couple of her “girlfriends” one night as she walked in. Had a blast!
Greg
May 9th, 2012
10:17 am
John,
Oh how I miss Backstreet. Damn that Shirley Franklin.
Samantha
May 9th, 2012
10:26 am
I still like her as an actress. Whatever she choose to be and sleep with is between her and the Lord. She has to answer to Him for her sins, as we all do.
Eric
May 9th, 2012
10:31 am
@la
It’s amazing how you can degrade her by saying “she has sugar in her tank”, but then try to clean it up like you actually support her. WTF!
TruthLies
May 9th, 2012
10:34 am
As if she’ll be telling us something we don’t already know. Go ahead and “set it off” of your chest “Cleo”!
Sandee
May 9th, 2012
10:38 am
Luv, luv, luv Queen Latifah. Who gives a rat’s *** if she’s gay or not….what a talent, and she has the most amazing complextion, I’ve always been jealous.
Rod
May 9th, 2012
10:48 am
Latifah being gay is OLD news….I mean old as in mid 1990’s….OLD.
bookman parrot
May 9th, 2012
10:51 am
why don’t you see heterosexual pride days? IMO, because heterosexuals do not need the rah rah to make them feel better about their choice. i am so sick of hearing about gay this and gay that, just do what you want and shut up.
CD
May 9th, 2012
10:55 am
Oh bookman parrot… what a sad little person you are. Come on out of the closet and quit hating your gay self. I can point you to a recent medical study that shows the vast majority of gay bashers and those who openly seethe with hatred when gay people dare show themselves are in fact self-hating homosexuals. So go to the phone and make an appointment with a mental health professional who can help guide you through your coming out. You will be so much happier with your life.
Merle
May 9th, 2012
10:56 am
Queen Latifah is gay!? Next you’ll tell me that Liberace was gay!
Vince Doodley
May 9th, 2012
11:28 am
Oh you funny fruit cakes.
Zeb
May 9th, 2012
11:42 am
Loved her in Country Bears!
benita wheeler
May 9th, 2012
11:47 am
ah junk
bookman parrot
May 9th, 2012
12:05 pm
to CD
May 9th, 2012
10:55 am
You are so off base. not gay. don’t hate gay. just sick of hearing about it.
bookman parrot
May 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
to CD
you pulled the old lib trick of “they disagreed with something, so i’ll call them a “basher” ” even though nothing in my post was bashing. actually said the opposite if you would read
Figures...
May 9th, 2012
12:13 pm
She always struck me as butch.
Savvy
May 9th, 2012
12:13 pm
Samantha, Exactly when did Latifah sin now?
Ricky
May 9th, 2012
12:15 pm
I agree with the phrase “so what” The Queen and I came up in the same generation and she is one of my favorite celeberties. If she did make an announcement that she was gay that would not change the way I feel about her.
Eric
May 9th, 2012
12:16 pm
@ bookman parrot
May 9th, 2012
12:11 pm
to CD
you pulled the old lib trick of “they disagreed with something, so i’ll call them a “basher” ” even though nothing in my post was bashing. actually said the opposite if you would read
This is the response from every conservative. All they now how to say is the term “libs” when someone disagrees with them. Bookman Parrot you most likely have homosexual tendencies. See a doctor about your self esteem.
MECCA ALLAH
May 9th, 2012
12:19 pm
THE QUEEN DOESN’T FLAUNT HER LESBIANISM, BUT SHE DOESN’T HIDE FROM IT EITHER, QUEEN IS A BEAUTIFUL PERSON AND IM PROUD OF HER JUST BECAUSE SHE IS PROUD OF WHO SHE IS. KEEP SHINNING LIKE THE STAR YOU ARE…..
LOL ;)
May 9th, 2012
12:23 pm
Perhaps John Travolta could join the parade
d'ep
May 9th, 2012
12:25 pm
bookman parrot, I understand what you’re saying, and I don’t think you’re bashing, hating, or frankly, wrong. However, we live in a world where gays and lesbians can’t just “do what they want and shut up.” Gays would like the same rights as heterosexuals, such as being married, co-adopting children, and just being accepted as people. Considering that North Carolina just yesterday amended its Constitution to make gay marriage illegal, it’s obvious that gays and lesbians have a long way to go before “doing what they want” is a reality.
Honestly, I totally understand how you feel. I wish we didn’t have to hear about discrimination or fight for rights for anyone, but we don’t live in that world. And until we do live in that world, I’m afraid we’re going to have to continue to hear about the fight to get there.
karol
May 9th, 2012
12:27 pm
So freakn what!! She still is the QUEEN!!
LaWanda
May 9th, 2012
12:28 pm
I thought she came out years ago once her grandfather died? She said that she didn’t want any of the publicity while he was living but when he passed, she came out?
CD
May 9th, 2012
12:29 pm
Bookman parrot:
So you click on this article about a performer performing at an event that has nothign to do to you in order to express your desire for gay people to disappear. And you are not a bigot? PLEASE. You are the definition of the word. And you wrap yourself in the Constitution and freedom and God and act superior to all gay people. You are pathetic and sad.
Jennifer Brett
May 9th, 2012
12:35 pm
Karol: I deleted the final sentence of your comment before posting. The expletive you used caused the comment to get snagged by the spam filter. Wanted to make sure I was transparent about that. I do not edit comments because that could alter their meaning but I did not think removing that sentence altered your meaning, it just removed profanity.
Jennifer
TruthLies
May 9th, 2012
12:40 pm
@bookman
One thing I cannot stand is attempt to deploy CHECK MECHANISMS against people…or reverse psychology. The whole “you disagree with X, so you must be (or struggle with) X secretly” bull—. Frankly, I think it is employed by weak people, just like any other rhetorical device. That’s like saying because one disagrees with or doesn’t support a certain religion, they really want to be a part of that religious group. Or one who rejects drugs and acohol do so because they have a serious jones for it, but is just simply afraid to act on it. I agree, it’s long been a non-secret that Latifah is a les. People want to “just be”, yet they feel the need to thrust their “being” upon others in such a boisterous and sometimes inconsiderate way.
People need to grow up.
Samantha
May 9th, 2012
12:49 pm
Now what I don’t understand is how can a Female have sugar in her tank? I thought that is how a person refers to a gay Male…..That’s a new one on me!
Samantha
May 9th, 2012
12:54 pm
Savvy…Read a bible and find out for yourself. Homosexuality IS A SIN PERIOD!!! It doesn’t matter to me if you agree or disagree with it. It’s in the bible for you to read for yourself. I don’t care what people think or how they feel because Gods’ word NEVER changes…so don’t ask me that stupid question WITHOUT seeking Gods’ word for yourself…
THAT GIRL-NETTRA
May 9th, 2012
12:54 pm
Gayism is a lifestyle…yes, I said it, LIFESTYLE. Marriage=man + woman. Why would God make you gay only to destroy you? Let me guess, some gays justify their actions by saying-”Jesus died for my sins too OR they foolishly insist that there is no GOD so they don’t have to be accountable to anyone. I don’t throw being straight up in nobody’s face. I don’t have Straight Pride weekends…Gay is tne “norm” today..my standards will not and have not changed…period..Toodles!!1
Sluggo
May 9th, 2012
1:05 pm
Good for the Queen! Just look at Ellen DeGeneres and her career. She is more popular now as an open Lesbian than before she came out.
ken
May 9th, 2012
1:07 pm
You’re right Samantha, but you’ll certainly catch grief on this liberal blog for beliefs that have existed throughout civilization, just because it imposes some form of common sense and morality on a morally declining culture. Wrong is wrong, perverse is perverse, and destructive is destructive, whether it’s 2012 AD or BC!
Cry me a river
May 9th, 2012
1:10 pm
I guess that North Carolina vote sure upset some folks. Newsflash – America as a whole does not share the gay view on marriage -DEAL WITH IT. Gotta love democracy!
CTW
May 9th, 2012
1:32 pm
So if I dont believe in God, why do I care about what “God” wants or says about me?
CTW
May 9th, 2012
1:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Really?
May 9th, 2012
1:47 pm
THAT GIRL-NETTRA — so you speak for God? You know exactly what God wants or creates or has in store for any of us? What arrogance. You know NOTHING of what God thinks. You and your ilk need a boogeyman in order to justify your hatred. You need someone to bash because it makes you feel better about your pathetic little life that has no meaning or reason. Gay people are biologically different than you. That is all it is… biology. But you slap a religion sticker on it because you are too ignorant to understand anything about science and you would rather cling to the hatred taught to you by some deranged preacher. YOU are what is wrong with this country.
THAT GIRL-NETTRA
May 9th, 2012
2:25 pm
I beg to differ “REALLY”..no hatred at all..homosexuals, as well as drunkards, thieves, fornicators, and adulterers have already been judged by the MOST HIGH..the practices are condemned. I didn’t write the Bible..You are one who justify wrongdoing and try to use “science” to support it. The very fact that what I said ticked you off shows tha you want your lifestyle to be accepted. Why can’t man and man or woman and woman produce children? Unnatural..that’s why. I bet you are an atheist..right? Also, you don’t know what my life is like and for you to attack that shows that I touched a nerve. Toodles!
Really?
May 9th, 2012
2:32 pm
THAT GIRL-NETTRA you are simply living proof that so many ignorant Americans hide behind religion in order to bash others. God (and yes I believe in him with all my heart) weeps are your flippant hatred. He wonders how vulgar people like you use his good name to bash others. And he is ashamed that his one true son died for evil people like you. Toodles!
THAT GIRL-NETTRA
May 9th, 2012
2:41 pm
You are resorted to name calling because myself and others don’t agree with YOUR lifestyle. I have not said anything demeaning..just the facts. If you read your Bible you will clearly see that GOD does not and have not approved of that lifestyle. I didn’t write the Bible..you got a problem please take it up with Him. I am tired of homosexuals insisting that they marry, adopt children like heteorosexual couples. If it’s so “normal” why is their so much controversy? Hmm…now go enjoy your day, REALLY.
Really?
May 9th, 2012
2:49 pm
THAT GIRL-NETTRA — How do you know I am gay? I am simply standing up against your hatred. It is time people like you were told exactly what God thinks of your vicious bashing. You pick and choose which parts of the Bible you use to condemn those you hate. I take it you are also pro-slavery as Leviticus 25:44-46 states that instructs you on how to buy your slaves. Three verses before Leviticus 18:22, there is the stricture that any child who curses its parents shall be put to death. Five verses after is the requirement that any couple having sex when the woman is menstruating shall be killed or put out of the community. There are also prohibitions against shaving and against eating certain creatures, including pork (”the other white meat”), any water creatures that lack fins or scales, and creeping/crawling things. People are forbidden from planting fields with two kinds of seed or wearing clothes woven of two different kinds of material. Not to mention that Leviticus requires priests to be physically perfect and to marry virgins (the Catholic church might want to take note). On the other hand, Leviticus specifically forbids all kinds of incest except the most common, father-daughter. So you’re cool with all that?
CTW
May 9th, 2012
2:56 pm
There is controversy because religious wingnuts insist on there being controversy and hide behind what the Bible says. If you’re so insistent on enforcing the Bible, do you eat pork, wear different clothing materials together, or been divorced?