“CAN’T CANCEL PRIDE: A COVID-19 RELIEF BENEFIT FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY”
For the past 50 years, Pride Month has given millions of people the opportunity to come together and feel proud of who they are. And this year has proven to be no different. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic may have kept us inside, but it definitely has not stopped us from giving a voice and visibility to our beloved community.
We all know that the pandemic has hit everyone hard, but what many people may not realize is that it has had such a damaging effect on the fund-raising efforts that LGBTQ+ organizations rely on to survive. It has also closed our community centers, prevented our support groups to meet in person and has had an adverse effect on a number of industries in which so many LGBTQ+ people make their living.
On June 25, P&G and iHeartMedia’s “Can’t Cancel Pride: A COVID-19 Relief Benefit for the LGBTQ+ Community” will give us the opportunity to raise visibility and funds for members of this community through organizations including GLAAD, SAGE, National Black Justice Coalition, The Trevor Project, CenterLink and OutRight Action International.
Hosted by Elvis Duran and Laverne Cox, “Can’t Cancel Pride” will bring together some of the biggest names in culture and entertainment and seek inspiration from the colors found on the rainbow flag. Normally these colors are celebrated in a bold and vibrant way through Pride events and gatherings throughout the country. Knowing that we can’t be out together, we still want to celebrate the colors of the rainbow and show people what those colors represent in order to help better understand one another.
So what can our LGBTQ+ members, friends, family and supporters expect from “Can’t Cancel Pride?” A true celebration of the rainbow – and here is a little sneak peek.
Billy Porter and Adam Lambert will kick off the rainbow with Red, which represents living out loud and boldly. Porter is set to address a variety of issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized communities including inclusivity, diversity and intersectionality. Lambert will close the Red segment with a can’t-miss performance of his hit, “Roses,” straight from a backyard stage like you have never seen before.
Other performances include Big Freedia performing with Tank and the Bangas from the banks of the Mississippi River in the heavily effected city of New Orleans; Melissa Etheridge with a healing performance of her classic hit, “Come To My Window;” Sia and a special PRIDE UGC celebration of what “Together” means right now; Kim Petras representing LGBTQ youth; a Ricky Martin and Latin Grammy Award winner Carla Morrison duet; and, of course, pop icon Katy Perry performing an “Exclusive Pride remix” of her single “Daisies” combined with her other iconic hits.
The hour-long stream will feature special moments from so many of our community’s members and advocates including Nico Tortorella, Titus Burgess, Hayley Kiyoko, Ben Platt and others – even Kermit the Frog will make a cameo.
The show finale will be a surprise celebration of 20 years of Hedwig in honor of 50 years of Pride.
So tonight, tune in for an evening of love and reflection at 9 p.m. ET on Hulu and iHeartRadio’s Facebook and Instagram pages; the program will also be broadcasted at 9 p.m. local time on iHeartMedia stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
Learn more about the inspiration behind the relief effort from co-founder Brent Miller here.
Supporting Brands of Can’t Cancel Pride include Bounty®, Charmin®, Dawn®, Downy®, Jared®, Pantene® and Tide®.
Additional proud partners of Can’t Cancel Pride include Cadillac, Crest®, Giant Food, Herbal Essences®, Mattel, Mercedes-Benz, Olay®, Pampers®, P&G Shopper Team, Puffs®, Splat Hair Color and This is L.