Superstar Harry Styles has made it a practice of helping fans come out at his shows, and his November 3rd show at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum was no different. During his set, while talking to the crowd of over 17,000, he noticed fan McKinley McConnell carrying a sign which said: “My mom is in Section 201. Help me come out.”
After seeing the sign, Harry noticed McKinley, located her mom Lisa, and told her to put her hands in the air. He happily ran back and forth to face McKinley and her mother, and Styles asked the daughter, “What would you like to tell her?” He then politely asked if she wanted to do it or if he should, to which she responded by saying she wanted him to. She expressed anxiety about the situation and that there were so many people, which Styles humorously responded with, “There is a lot of people. Did you not know? Did you think this through?” He entered a serious mode where he received final consent saying that he would tell her mother the news. He skipped over to her mother’s section where he yelled: “Lisa, she’s gay!” The entire arena burst into applause and Lisa was so overcome with joyful tears she had to sit down. Harry congratulated her and continued to sing a fan-favorite “Canyon Moon”.
After the show, McConnell took to TikTok to share her experience. She posted a video showing the interaction, which has over 2 million views, with the caption “LISA SHES GAY. Thank you for helping me.” She also commented, “It truly was a life changing, one in a million experience.”
I can only imagine how special this moment was for McKinley and her mom, and the entire crowd felt the loving energy that night. This is a testament to how Harry Styles allows his shows to be an inclusive and welcoming event for everyone. In a time where safety at concerts has become an issue, this is heartwarming and much needed. Harry Styles has a past of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, by dropping a limited-edition “Treat People with Kindness” shirt in partnership with non-profit GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network), waving different pride flags at every show, and in 2014 he showed support for the first openly gay athlete to be drafted to the NFL by wearing his jersey to One Direction’s St. Louis show.
However, this is not the first time Styles has helped a fan come out at his shows. While touring in 2018 at a show in Santa Fe, he saw a fan named Grace’s sign that read, “I’m gonna come out to my parents because of you.” He saw it and asked if he could read it to the crowd. He then asked Grace the name of her mother and yelled: “Tina, she’s gay!”
As a self-proclaimed Harry Styles super fan, it is very refreshing to see artists who are vocal about the same issues I am just as passionate about. You can tell that he has deep admiration for fans who are going through their journeys to accept themselves. His motto of “Treat People with Kindness” has brought millions together to make the world a better place and use his fame for good, and few public figures choose to do that. Harry Styles has inspired me in so many ways and has helped me through good and tough times. I have so much respect for him, and hope for his continued support of the LGBTQIA+ community.
For more information on GLSEN and how to be a proactive ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, check out their website for more information: https://www.glsen.org.