This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

To Those Bothered By The 'Gay Agenda' At Super Bowl 50

Coldplay, along with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, gave one of the best performances the halftime show has ever seen with the simple yet powerful message, "Believe in Love." This fueled a reaction that is quite common to members of the LGBT community. To put it gently, the homophobes went to work all across the virtual world.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw via Getty Images
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

In what should have been a heartfelt message to the world about love came a flood of negativity, with halftime show headliner Coldplay being accused of promoting a "gay agenda."

The band, along with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, gave one of the best and most colourful performances the much-anticipated halftime show has ever seen on Sunday. The spectacular display ended with the simple yet powerful message, "Believe in Love," in a sea of rainbow colours.

This fueled a reaction that is quite common to members of the LGBT community. To put it gently, the homophobes went to work all across the virtual world. As soon as Coldplay posted the picture on its Facebook page, the bigots and those who just love to hate anything rainbow and anyone queer came out of their holes:

"Why can't I just turn on my TV without some gay shit being pushed in my face these days?"

"Worst halftime show ever!!!!!"

"I knew those Coldplay dudes were fags."

"Wow! Are we now promoting a gay agenda during a very important football game? The devil is at work tonight, but God's love is more powerful."

My question to all of this is simple. Why does it bother you? The answer to that is quite simple as well. Because homophobia is still very much alive and kicking.

Think about it! Members of Coldplay, existing in a world that can sometimes be cruel, sat down one day while discussing their upcoming performance for the Super Bowl and said probably something like, "Let's remind people of the simple solution to some of our biggest challenges."

I think the fact that this message of love, the one thing that brings about peace and unity, was overshadowed by hate, speaks to just how hateful we are and also shows how far we are from accepting this small group of people that wants nothing more than to be respected and recognized as human beings.

Well, let me say this to the homophobes and even the Christians who were throwing holy water all night:

Until the death toll for transgender women in the United States of America and other parts of the world goes down to zero, the colours of the rainbow will continue to be displayed.

Until every gay man and woman can come out to his family without being kicked out of his home to live in danger on the street, we will continue to paint this world in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, even with a touch of pink.

Until members of the LGBT community in countries across the Caribbean, in Africa, Asia and the Middle East can receive proper protection from their governments to include law enforcement, we will continue to lobby for change.

Until we begin to let go of our hatred towards people who do not fit into who we want them to be, we will continue to promote love and acceptance.

Until every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person can walk the streets without persecution, then and only then will we put down our rainbow flags. And to be quite honest, even then I know most of us will continue to wave them, because that's just how we show our Pride.

So what? Some people are truly in love with other people who happen to be from the same sex. Does it really matter in 2016? Just watch my Youtube Channel Island Lez Talk and see for yourself.

Follow HuffPost Canada Blogs on Facebook

MORE ON HUFFPOST:

Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show

Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show: Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Coldplay

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.