President Obama, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato and more set to participate in annual Stonewall Day livestream event

Pride may look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still (virtually) pull out all the stops to celebrate. Pride Live's Stonewall Day has become an annual event, and now, it’s taking place online with some special guests — including former POTUS Obama, Taylor Swift, and Demi Lovato. Stonewall Day celebrates the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which represents a key moment in the gay rights movement. To pay tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, Obama will deliver a message during the livestream, where he will also be joined by the likes of Taylor, Demi, Ellen Degeneres, Katy Perry, Donatella Versace, Luke Evans, and many more. Kesha and Hayley Kiyoko are also set to deliver performances for the event, and model Geena Rocero (who is known for her advocacy in the Transgender community) will host.

I’ll be performing at @REALPRIDELIVE's #StonewallDay global livestream event on June 26 to benefit LGBTQ+ organizations affected by COVID-19, incl @BSAllianceChi, @allycoalition, @TransLatina_C& @TransLifeline. Tune in to Logo’s Facebook and YouTube.Text REBEL to 243725 to donate pic.twitter.com/ydNinnlwCE

— kesha (@KeshaRose) June 23, 2020

The event, which is set to run June 26th from 12:45p ET to 3p ET, is aimed at raising funds LGBTQ+ advocacy groups that have limited resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, including The Ally Coalition, Trans Lifeline, Brave Space Alliance, and more. With almost all in-person Pride events rescheduled or canceled due to the pandemic, virtual celebrations and fundraisers have become incredibly important across our communities. Swift’s participation in the livestream event should come as no surprise to fans, as the singer has solidified her position as advocate and ally over the last two years.

* | Taylor will be a special guest on @REALPRIDELIVE’s Stonewall Day event on Friday at 12:45 PM EST! pic.twitter.com/8lrOa1zviw

— Taylor Swift News (@TSwiftNewsLA) June 23, 2020

In October 2018, Swift finally took a public, political stance when she took to Instagram to endorse Tennessee Democratic candidate Phil Bredesen over Republican Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Blackburn had come under fire for supporting policies that discriminate against women, LGBTQ+ people and communities of colour, and fans were thrilled to finally see Swift make her opinion known. As explained in her documentary, Miss America, Swift was notoriously non-political in the past, as her team often encouraged her to steer clear of social issues or otherwise divisive topics to protect her pop-star likability. In acknowledging her endorsement of Phil Bredesen, Swift explained that she, “believe[s] in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG.” Last year, Swift generated even more buzz, when she released her hit single “You Need to Calm Down.” While the song, at first glance, may seem to be nothing more than a catchy tune with punchy lyrics speaking to online haters, it was actually a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. Looking closer at the lyrics, fans noted that she made reference to GLAAD (the LGBTQ advocacy group), as well as the Pride parade with some refreshing, anti-gay messaging.