Belinda Carlisle Denounces Anti-LGBTQ Law in Mississippi

Uses Upcoming Biloxi Performance To Call for Repeal of Anti-LGBTQ "Hell on Earth" Bill

Governor Bryant,

I am scheduled to perform in your great state this Saturday; however, given the very recent anti-LGBTQ attacks that your administration has leveled against some of your own citizens I very nearly cancelled my appearance. After discussion with various LGBTQ groups, however, I've decided to go forward with the show in order to say a few things to those who live in the Magnolia State -- and I want to start off by addressing you directly.

As the very proud mother of a gay child I can't imagine anything less Christian than using the law as a weapon against others. Because of my career as a performer and the privilege that has brought to our family, my son will be all right, but the pain you're causing LGBTQ Mississippians is devastating, especially the transgender folks and LGBTQ people of color who will be most directly impacted by these attacks. Brave organizers like Kaylee Bradshaw -- a black transgender Mississippian -- and Brandiilyne Mangum-Dear -- a lesbian pastor in Mississippi -- are just two of the people who will be directly impacted by hateful bills like these. Their bravery in organizing against these attacks is stunning.

Nearly 30 years ago, I released a song titled "Heaven Is a Place on Earth." I was proud of the message of that song then and I continue to be proud of it today. Unfortunately, Governor Bryant, you and those around you are making life hell on earth for many Mississippians.

So I'll go forward with my show on Saturday and I'll use it as an opportunity to speak the truth about the bravery of people like Kaylee and Brandiilyne and so many others across your state who are resilient and loving and brave. Finally, it is my call, as a mother, that you bring a little bit of heaven to Mississippi by repealing HB1523.

Belinda Carlisle

(The open letter from Belinda Carlisle can also be found on her official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BelindaCarlisleOfficial)

BELINDA CARLISLE PERFORMS SATURDAY, IN SOLIDARITY WITH LOCAL LEADERS, AS PROTEST AGAINST HB 1523

BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI - April 19, 2016 -- Pop star Belinda Carlisle, of "The GoGo's" fame, is calling on Governor Phil Bryant to repeal the recently-passed HB 1523, which attacks lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Mississippians by permitting businesses, individuals, and social service agencies to freely discriminate based on personal religious beliefs. In that open letter, she invoked the stories of two LGBTQ Mississippians -- Kaylee Bradshaw and Brandiilyne Mangum-Dear -- to demonstrate the courage and resilience of those who are most harmed by this law.

Today, Kaylee and Brandiilyne are issuing statements of their own to amplify the message of Ms. Carlisle:

Statement from Rev. Brandiilyne Mangum-Dear, Pastor of Joshua Generation Metropolitan Community Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi:

"We need a governor who has our best interest at heart. This bill not only alienates the LGBTQ community, but it also threatens the well-being of hundreds of thousands of families and children who depend on federal funding for food and shelter. There is nothing Christian about casting out those in need -- that, my dear governor, is the true sin of Sodom. You have an opportunity to shine a true light on this state by reversing your decision to sign HB 1523 and if you don't you will forever be remembered as the governor who cast this evil shadow of hate over our beautiful state. Again I ask you, would Jesus sign this bill? As people of faith, we both know that the answer to that question is.... no. Jesus spoke of loving thy neighbor, not discriminating against them. So tell me again, why are you?"

Statement from Kaylee Bradshaw, Administrative Assistant at Joshua Generation Metropolitan Community Church

"Governor Bryant's consistent record of hateful legislation is both disappointing and heartbreaking. Yet again, he has yielded to out-of-state forces that are legislating hate everywhere from South Dakota to North Carolina to our dear, complicated Mississippi. As people of faith, we know that this effort is not of God -- and as a black transgender woman, I know that my destiny is not limited by this hateful act. My existence is my resistance -- and I will work every day to ensure that my LGBTQ family has a safe and welcoming community of faith to gather, to mourn, to celebrate, and to organize in the face of ignorance and hatred."

For further comments or to interview those quoted above, please contact Brandiilyne Mangum-Dear at 601-433-7266 or JoshuaGenerationMCC@gmail.com.

Founded in 2010, GetEQUAL is a national grassroots network whose mission is to empower the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community and our allies to take bold action to demand full legal and social equality, and to hold accountable those who stand in the way. For more information go to www.getequal.org. You can also follow GetEQUAL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/getequal or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/getequal.