Lil Nas X reflects on ‘scary’ coming out and vows to keep fighting for ‘liberation’
Lil Nas X has promised to keep fighting for “liberation” in a moving awards acceptance speech.
The “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” singer was honoured at the Native Son Awards on Saturday (22 May), which celebrates Black gay and queer men.
In a pre-recorded speech, Lil Nas X thanked the Native Son Awards for the “amazing honour”.
“Your commitment to amplifying and celebrating Black queer men is vital to our community and I’m humbled to be among this year’s honourees,” the singer said.
“When I came out two years ago, it was one of the scariest moments of my life. I was afraid because I knew the world was watching and all I ever saw for boys like me was judgement and ridicule.
“But it was because the world was watching that I knew I had to stand in my truth. Far too many of our youth are struggling to find acceptance. We are taught to hate ourselves for who we are and we are punished for living openly and proudly.”
Lil Nas X thanked his fans and his ‘haters’ in acceptance speech
Lil Nas X said he made the decision when he came out publicly as gay to be himself and “open doors” for the rest of his life.
“Far too many of our youth are struggling to find acceptance. We are taught to hate ourselves for who we are, and we are punished for living openly and proudly…Some people say I’m pushing an agenda, and I am. It’s called liberation.” — @LilNasX accepting @NativeSonNow Award pic.twitter.com/VPryv3FrHh
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) May 22, 2021
He explained: “Some people say I’m pushing an agenda, and I am. It’s called liberation. There’s no roadmap when you’re the first to break a barrier, and I hope that one day it’s no longer groundbreaking for queer artists to find mainstream success or win major awards.
“Until that day comes there is work to do and I will continue to do my part.”
Lil Nas X closed out his emotive speech by thanking his family and friends, his team, supporters and his haters. Finally, he thanked his fans for keeping him “focused” on his mission.
The honour comes at the end of a busy few weeks for Lil Nas X. In March, he released his chart-topping song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” along with a music video which showed him giving Satan a lap dance.
Last week, he dropped the music video for his new single “Sun Goes Down”, which shows him going “back in time” to “uplift” his younger self.
He topped off a busy few weeks with an SNL performance – but the incredible performance quickly went south when he hilariously tore his leather pants while pole dancing.