Beyoncé got herself in deep water with her fans after performing at a performance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a nation notorious for its draconian restrictions on LGBTQ rights.
Beyoncé headlined the $24 million private concert at the opulent hotel Atlantis The Royal in Dubai, which was her first live performance in five years.
Fans Call Out Beyoncé
Lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, and transgender individuals have been prosecuted under public decency laws in the UAE for behaviors such as cross-dressing and public kissing. In addition, homosexuality is prohibited, and same-sex sexual behavior is punished by death under Sharia law.
While many fans and activists were thrilled to see the music star return to the stage, others were dissatisfied with the venue selection, as per Fox News.
Bev Jackson, the co-founder of the LGB Alliance, said on Sunday that the British advocacy organization was "deeply disappointed" by the show. Lawrence Batron, the proprietor of a gay pub, described the performance as "truly disappointing" and questioned whether Beyoncé had addressed the LGBTQ legislation in the UAE.
A freelance music writer, Abigail Firth told BBC Newsbeat that Beyoncé's new work is "indebted to LGBT culture." This may explain why some fans are uneasy about her live comeback in Dubai, where she is rumored to be getting $24 million.
Dubai is located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a Middle Eastern nation comprised of seven areas that adhere to stringent regulations and prohibit homosexuality. Qatar, which hosted the World Cup in 2022, has similar rules.
It was criticized for handling LGBT individuals, human rights records, and migrant labor. David Beckham was attacked, most notably by comedian Joe Lycett, for signing a lucrative contract with the Qatari government to promote the event.
Similarly to Beyoncé, he was lauded by the LGBT community and appeared on the cover of the best-selling gay magazine Attitude in 2002. Kitty Scott-Claus, a contestant on Drag Race UK, referenced the criticism against David Beckham in a tweet, questioning whether there was "one rule for one and one rule for another."
The criticism of the singer has not been as severe thus far. Some fans have stated that the UAE and neighboring nations are not alone in their attitude toward LGBT rights and should not be singled out.
Others have highlighted distinctions, such as the fact that a company paid Beyoncé for a private event, but the government paid Beckham to promote the nation aggressively.
Beyoncé Dubai Concert
Saturday's performance featured a range of classics over the years, beginning with a version of 'At Last' by Etta James. In addition to 'Ave Maria,' 'Halo,' and 'Countdown,' she also performed 'Crazy in Love.' Blue Ivy, her 11-year-old daughter, sang 'Brown Skin Girl' alongside her mother.
None of the tracks from her new album 'Renaissance' were performed. Beyoncé was elevated 16 feet in the air as she performed 'Drunk in Love' with the resort as a background for the finale.
Beyoncé's performance was accompanied by, among others, a 48-member all-female orchestra, Firdaus Orchestra, and 'America's Got Talent champions The Mayyas, an all-female precision dance company from Lebanon.
Per ABC News, Beyoncé's first public concert since 2020 was a 60-minute set attended by around 1,000 people, including her husband Jay-Z, her parents, and her family.
Some pointed out on social media that the singer's most recent album, 'Renaissance,' was inspired by the Black queer culture and questioned her decision to play in Dubai, given that she has used her platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community throughout her career.
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