GLAAD to help: DaBaby on redemption mission after homophobic rant at Rolling Loud
After facing heat for almost a month for his disparaging comments on the LGBTQ+ community during the Rolling Loud Miami festival, it seems DaBaby is trying his best to make amends with the situation. The ‘BOP’ hitmaker met the leaders of nine HIV organizations on Tuesday, August 31 with an intention to learn more about the HIV communities and gay people.
The nine groups at the rapper’s meeting included GLAAD, the Black AIDS Institute, Transinclusive Group, and Positive Women's Network, among others. GLAAD, on their website, posted a joint statement saying, “During our meeting, DaBaby was genuinely engaged, apologized for the inaccurate and hurtful comments he made about people living with HIV, and received our personal stories and the truth about HIV and its impact on Black and LGBTQ communities with deep respect.” They added, “We appreciate that he openly and eagerly participated in this forum of Black people living with HIV, which provided him an opportunity to learn and to receive accurate information. Following his homophobic rant at the festival, the Ohio native got schooled by musicians like Sir Elton, Madonna, and his former collaborator Dua Lipa.
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Is GLAAD helping DaBaby cover up his homophobic acts?
A few days after DaBaby apologized for his controversial rant, GLAAD that tackles cultural issues had first penned an open letter to the multi-platinum rapper on August 4 where they spoke about addressing the miseducation about HIV. “We heard your inaccurate and harmful comments at Rolling Loud and have read your Instagram apology. However, at a time when HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black Americans and queer and transgender people of color, a dialogue is critical. We must address the miseducation about HIV, expressed in your comments, and the impact it has on various communities.” In the open letter, they had also requested the rapper for a private/off-the-record meeting.
In the latest open letter, GLAAD again shared a lengthy post on their official website revealing how DaBaby was willing to learn about HIV and its various aspects for a more meaningful dialogue. Marnina Miller from Southern AIDS Coalition, who attended the meeting, said in a statement that DaBaby's attendance and his willingness to learn from his mistakes could set a positive example moving forward. "DaBaby's willingness to listen, learn, and grow can open the door to an entirely new generation of people to do the same” adding, “Ending HIV stigma requires doing the hard work of changing hearts and minds, and often that begins with something as simple as starting a dialogue. We hope DaBaby will use his platform to educate his fans and help end the epidemic." DaBaby, however, is yet to spill details on his meeting with the leaders of these aforementioned organizations.
What did DaBaby say at the music festival?
During his set at the Rolling Loud Miami edition in July end, the rapper while speaking to the audience had said, “If you didn't show up today with HIV, AIDS, any of them deadly sexual transmitted diseases that'll make you die in two to three weeks, put your cell phone light in the air. Ladies, if your pu**y smells like water, put a cell phone light in the air. Fellas, if you ain't suckin' d**k in the parking lot, put your cell phone lights in the air."
The hip-hop artist had apologized thrice after catching heat for the same but one of his official Instagram apologies was deleted later. He was dropped from six music festivals, however, radio station Hot 97 gave him a chance for their Summer Jam Fest. DaBaby, who could not thank them enough for the lovely gesture, stated during the performance, “They still allowed me to come right here on this stage and utilize their platform.” He added, “They helped the world move forward and become a better place and not dismiss people based off mistakes made like we ain’t human.”