Christina Aguilera, Billy Porter, more celebs celebrate Pride Month 2023: 'An honor'
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Stars are celebrating and delivering pertinent messages about the LGBTQ community during Pride Month.
The month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York and celebrates the LGBTQ community and the fight for equal rights.
The Stonewall Uprising began on June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a prominent gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The subsequent protests over the next six days are credited with a shift in LGBTQ activism in the U.S.
This year's celebration comes during an uptick in the number of states that grew more hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, according to the 2023 Out Leadership State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index report shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
"As a nonbinary queer person, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this community that is the epitome of resilience, excellence and joy," Demi Lovato wrote on Instagram June 1 to kick off the month. "And for any and everyone navigating their sexual orientation and gender journey, know that you are all extraordinary and exactly who you’re supposed to be. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."
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Here are how other stars are celebrating Pride.
Christina Aguilera, Billy Porter, more head to New York for Pride
Christina Aguilera, who headlined LA Pride in the Park in 2022, took her talents to the east coast for queer celebrations this year. The "Beautiful" singer wore a sequined, black jumpsuit as she headlined Pride Live's Stonewall Day at Hudson Yards on June 23.
"Stonewall Day 2023 🏳️🌈 Such an honor, thank you New York ✨," the pop star wrote on Instagram.
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Transgender activist and "Chicago" actress Angelica Ross hosted the Stonewall Day event.
Laverne Cox also arrived at the queer pride celebration in style.
On June 25, New York Pride March kicked off early. "Pose" star Billy Porter gave a speech during his attendance.
"Pride March… she's a protest and a party," Porter, who is one of the parade's Grand Marshalls, said in a video posted to Instagram.
Megan Thee Stallion, Mariah Carey perform at Los Angeles Pride
Megan Thee Stallion and Mariah Carey brought queer pride to La La Land. They each performed at the LA Pride in the Park Festival in Los Angeles on June 9 and 10, respectively.
Stallion sparkled onstage in a bejeweled sheer body suit. The "Traumazine" rapper took to Instagram after the event to share what a good time she had. "Pride was everythingggg," Megan wrote. "Thank y’all for all the vibes!"
Carey stunned during her LA Pride set, rocking a sleek black bodice and slitted, metallic silver skirt. The Grammy-winning singer took to Instagram after her performance to gush about the Pride Month festivities.
"Thank you LA Pride, you were amazing!!" Carey wrote. "I love you so much!"
Niecy Nash, Laith Ashley, Melissa McCarthy attend WeHo pride
A number of celebs attended the 2023 WeHo Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California, on June 4. Niecy Nash brought her wife, singer Jessica Betts, and wore a jewel-encrusted rainbow outfit as she rode through the parade.
Model Laith Ashley, who recently starred alongside Taylor Swift in her "Lavendar Haze" music video, showed off his chest while draped in the transgender flag.
Melissa McCarthy, who played Ursula in Disney's recent live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," carried a rainbow fan and sported a "say gay" sign.
JoJo Siwa kicks off Pride Month with 3 words
JoJo Siwa, who came out in 2021, celebrated the month of Pride with a photo of herself wearing rainbow Crayola makeup and a reminder of three words that represent Pride to her: Love, acceptance and celebration.
"We really only get one life. love who YOU want to love, be with who is right for you, and spend time with people that make you feel like the most special person in the world, because you are," Siwa wrote on Instagram June 1. "HAPPY PRIDE MONTH."
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Ariana DeBose celebrates Pride with Elmo
"West Side Story" actress Ariana DeBose celebrated Pride on the iconic set of "Sesame Street" along with her furry friend, Elmo.
"Everyone is always welcome on Sesame Street. This month and every month we want to uplift and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ family, friends and communities," DeBose said on an Instagram reel June 1.
"Happy Pride! Elmo loves you," the furry red muppet added.
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Janelle Monáe shares an affirmation to celebrate Pride
Ahead of the release of their new album, Monáe shared a clip of themselves reading an affirmation to radio host Angie Martinez to kick off Pride Month.
"As we celebrate ourselves and each other on our journey, here is an affirmation I wanna share that has helped me tap more and more into my well of freedom," Monáe wrote on Instagram June 1. "And a reminder to release the pressure to be anything other than who and where you are in your journey. I love you!"
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Emma Corrin celebrates Pride with garden selfie
Emma Corrin celebrated Pride Month with a selfie and a reminder to "live truthfully and love hard" as she showed off her gardening skills and dog, Spencer, on Instagram June 1.
"Happy pride month," the "My Policeman" actor wrote. "Live truthfully and love hard….yourself and others…..reach for your dreams like Spencer is reaching for my lunch. Keep sharing, keep strong, and keep potting plants in white trousers. Y’all got this."
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Clare Mulroy, Joy Ashford and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christina Aguilera, Billy Porter, more celebrate Pride 2023
