George Takei among critics of Chappell Roan election comments: “If you’re a high profile figure in the LGBTQ+ community, you need to take a stand”

30 September, 2024

George Takei appears to have criticised Chappell Roan for refusing to endorse a candidate in the upcoming US election.

Roan made headlines last week after she said she wasn’t going to throw her undivided support behind any one candidate in the election, due to “problems” on both sides.

Now, Takei seems to have hit back against Roan’s stance in a new post on Twitter/X. Last Monday (September 23), following Roan’s comments, the Broadway actor wrote: “If you’re a high profile figure in the LGBTQ+ community, you need to take a stand in this election. Both sidesing it when our community us under direct attack from the GOP is an irresponsible cop out.”

The ‘Red Wine Supernova’ singer had initially highlighted trans rights in the US as one of the key factors towards her reluctance to back any candidate, saying: “They cannot have cis people making decisions for trans people, period.”

After the backlash from her comments, Roan took to TikTok last Wednesday (September 25) to explain that her words had been “completely taken out of context, per usual,” and that “there is nuance” to what she says in interviews. Roan told her followers that she “encouraged people to use critical thinking skills” to “learn about what they’re voting for” and “ask questions”.

A day later, following continued uproar, she went on to further clarify her stance, saying: “I’m voting for fucking Kamala, but I’m not settling for what has been offered. Because that’s questionable. It’s questionable, the actions of our government, of the internet, of you and me.”

Despite her refusal to endorse a candidate, Roan has urged people to make their voices heard in a recent interview with Rolling Stone. 

She said: “Right now, it’s more important than ever to use your vote, and I will do whatever it takes to protect people’s civil rights, especially the LGBTQ+ community. My ethics and values will always align with that, and that hasn’t changed with a different nominee.

“I feel lucky to be alive during an incredibly historic time period when a woman of colour is a presidential nominee.”

Roan previously protested against President Biden’s administration by declining an invitation from The White House to perform for a Pride event. “This is a response to the White House, who asked me to preform for Pride. We want liberty, justice, and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come,” she said at the 2024 Governors Ball 2024.

Meanwhile, a host of other stars most notably Taylor Swift and Charli XCX have endorsed Harris as their presidential candidate. Harris has since shared that she is “very proud” of the former’s endorsement while the latter’s tweet was adopted by the Democrat nominee’s campaign team.

Billie Eilish and Finneas also recently championed Harris while Eilish’s ‘When the Party’s Over’ recently featured in the Democrat’s Ad on reproductive care.

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