Lebanese Singer Nancy Ajram Faces Backlash for Apparently Banning Pride Flags at Concert
August 24, 2018Nancy Ajram, a popular Lebanese singer, has faced backlash after her management apparently banned rainbow flags from her Gothenburg concert, AN-NAHAR reports.
To make matters worse, the concert took place during the city’s Pride celebrations.
It is reported that Ajram was nervous of displaying the flags because of backlash she received from a similar incident. She appeared on The Voice Kids wearing a t-shirt with rainbow flags and was dragged in the media for it.
Fans took to social media to condemn Ajram’s decision, one user writing “after 23 years of being your fan and loving you a lot, I will never listen to your music neither support your art because of this.”
Ajram has since responded with a series of tweets defending herself: “Concerning the media hype following my concert in Sweden & all the accusations resulting thereof, I would like to clarify that my management and myself have nothing to do with the pride flags & that the stage pride decoration removal decision was taken by the organizer himself.
“I would like to clarify once and for all that I respect everyone’s choices without any discrimination. I had never put myself in a position to judge or issue prejudgements especially that personal life is private and no one has the right to interfere in. We just have to respect it.
“I am sorry that this issue took such big attention, because it affected some of my close friends too. The purpose of such hype was to put me in confrontation with a certain group of people. I Love and Respect everyone. That’s all I have to say. Thank you.”
Fans have found her defence hard to believe, one writing: “If you are really honest about your support to the LGBT community, then show that and hold a rainbow flag at your concert.”
Others have pointed out her large queer fan base and the many drag queens she has used in her music videos. “Shame on you Nancy Ajram! You’re (sic) entire career has been carried by LGBTQ folk.”
Image Above: Nancy Ajram’s photo of the crowd at Gothenburg concert, no rainbow flags. | Photo: Nancy Ajram / Instagram
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