People Have Plenty to Say About Taylor Swift Breaking Her Political Silence

The old Taylor Swift can’t come to the phone right now — because the pop superstar is making her political feelings known.

On Sunday, the Reputation singer posted a lengthy Instagram outlining her political stances in the upcoming election in Tennessee. Swift has been notoriously silent on political issues in the past, even keeping quiet about her choice of presidential candidate in 2016. But that era of reluctance is now over.

“Due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now,” she said in the post, outlining her support of LGBTQ rights and equal rights for women and people of color.

Naturally, Swift’s decision to open up and encourage her followers and fans to “vote based on who most closely represents your values” created a fiery conversation online, as celebrities and commentators were quick to either congratulate Swift on her newfound engagement or condemn her for choosing to speak out. A number of her A-list friends — including Blake Lively, Karlie Kloss, Katy Perry and Chrissy Teigen — liked the post, suggesting they are supportive of her statement. But many conservatives consider her stolid Democratic support an about-face for an artist who so carefully toed a non-partisan line in the past.

Swift has previously been an important voice in the movement to protect survivors of sexual assault. She is expected to open Tuesday night’s American Music Awards with a performance of her song “I Did Something Bad.”

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I’m always proud of my friend no matter what, but today I am the most proud I have ever been. When you are a super star of epic proportions it can be terrifying to do things that you and I can do on a day to day basis. Voicing your political or religious beliefs is always going to separate people and potentially create bad blood. I have always defended Taylor because I know her heart, I know how her family raised her and how they’ve treated me and welcomed me into their home, life and family with open arms. When I met her I was a bit afraid to be my true self around her because I didn’t know where she stood on LGBTQ+ rights and I didn’t honestly know if I could explain to someone with blue eyes and blonde hair what it feels like to not only walk around our country, but her neighborhood specifically. We have talked for so many hours about these subjects and she has taken the time to actively listen to me, her queer friend who also happens to be a person of color. Today, for the first time, Taylor unapologetically voiced her opinions and stance on the upcoming Tennesee midterm elections. She openly recognized the issues regarding racial discrimination and she has made me the proud beyond my Wildest Dreams! I know that this was a scary step for you T, but my cheeks are hurting from grinning, I got chills reading your status, I feel heard and valued as a person who lives what some consider an “alternative lifestyle” but what YOU see as a beautiful life. I can’t help but to feel like I played even the smallest of parts in helping you get to this point, and I’m just so dang happy that the world gave you time to learn (in your own way and at your own pace) how important it is for you to speak out and speak now. Just because you like the album Red, doesn’t mean you have to vote that way. This is a HUGE step for you and the world will be a better place if everyone votes for the human rights that we all deserve. You, your family and your team continue to amaze me & teach me how to be a better human every day and I will always be in your corner. So proud to call you my Gorgeous friend. xoxo your #1 cheerleader! Toddy

A post shared by TODRICK (@todrick) on Oct 7, 2018 at 6:20pm PDT

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