Iggy Azalea Cancels Pittsburgh Pride Fest Appearance
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Singer Iggy Azalea has canceled her appearance at this year's Pride Fest in downtown Pittsburgh.
Azalea canceled after several LGBT groups threatened to boycott this weekend's event because of offensive remarks she made in the past.
Members of Roots Pride are calling the cancellation of a performance a victory.
She's been criticized for tweets that have been seen as homophobic.
Last night, Azalea tweeted, "I am a firm believer in equality. Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have. I meant no harm and deeply regret ever uttering those words."
A message to Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/Jm6ZyX0Xyc
— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) June 9, 2015
Azalea was scheduled to be the headliner for Saturday's Pride in the Street concert/fundraiser on Liberty Avenue.
The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh released the following statement about Azalea canceling:
"Since our initial announcement, we have been working very closely with Ms. Azalea's management, publicists and agent regarding the concerns of some of our community. Pittsburgh Pride is about our community and allies coming together and showing how diverse and accepting we are as a city. Over the years, we have seen many hearts and minds change including support for marriage equality, treating all with dignity and respect and most recently the support for Caitlyn Jenner. We're sorry that our headliner choice caused a division within our community but we believe that change happens through conversation. We are meeting with key LGBT leaders to start a discussion that will make our collective community even stronger."
"You can criticize all day long, but that's not an action that actually brings resolution. Let's sit down, let's have a conversation and let's move forward,"Gary Van Horn Jr., of the Delta Foundation, said. "We're a live and let be town, we're a steel mill town, etc. But, we've come a long way, We have a long way to go and it's just sad we hear some of the comments that are out there right now."
A replacement for Azalea has not been named at this time.
"Iggy Azalea served as a catalyst, but she was only a catalyst for a much deeper and more meaningful conversation that I believe all of us would like to see take place," City Council President Bruce Kraus said.
"This is bigger than Iggy. We are addressing systematic injustices based on race, based on class," La'Tasha Mayes, of New Voices Pittsburgh, said.
For more information about Pride Fest, visit their website here: http://www.pittsburghpride.org/
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