Girl group Little Mix perform special tribute to transgender individuals in light of military ban

Currently on their Glory Days tour, U.K. girl group Little Mix dedicate a special performance to the LGBTQ+ community.

Erika Owens / Via Little Mix at Adelaide Entertainment Centre 26 July, 2017

Girl group Little Mix performed a touching tribute, specifically to transgender individuals on their worldwide Glory Days tour on July 28th, 2017. Their song ‘Secret Love Song pt. II’ is noted by numerous critics for being a powerful LGBTQ+ anthem, alongside previous decade anthems such as Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful’ released in 2002 and Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ released in 1978.

Before getting ready to sing the song with her fellow bandmates, Jade Thirlwall of the group stated:

"This song is really special to us, because the impact it’s had on our fans, especially our LGBT fans. It’s really important for us a group to encourage you to be who you are and who you’re supposed to be. And I think the transgender community could do a little use of support right now"

Ironically enough, a few days prior U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement via social media on Twitter that he “would no longer allow transgender individuals to serve openly in the military”. According to the New York Times, “Mr. Trump elected to announce the ban in order to resolve a quietly brewing fight on Capitol Hill over whether taxpayer money should pay for gender transition and hormone therapy for transgender service members”. Many reacted with anger to due his prior commitment of vowing to help protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and effectively supporting them.

transequality.org / Via transequality.org

On an exclusive Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll, 58 percent of adults agreed with the statement that transgender individuals should be allowed to serve in the military. 27 percent agreed with Trump, while the last few weren’t sure. Although democrats are more heavily supportive, Republicans were more evenly split on the issue.

Regardless, Marine Corps’ Top Officer General Joseph Dunford responded that “the military will not alter its current policies until it receives additional guidance from Trump's secretary of defense”.

Little Mix performing LGBTQ+ anthem 'Secret Love Song pt. II'

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

"If I had to choose a top performance of the night it would have to go to their smash hit 'Secret Love Song', which is a nod to the LGBT community. Tears were flowing all around me for a song that has so much meaning in today’s society and it would seem that all four performers felt the significance as well as the tears started to escape their eyes" - Laura Thorburn [Little Mix @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre Review]