Rock overlord Jack White has taken to socials to address the baffling (and straight up antiquated) treatment of two lovers at a recent show in Canada.
White has ridiculed the situation, which involved a venue staff member physically intervening in a consensual moment of love.
In his statement, White shared a black and white photo from a Beatles concert dating back to 1968. In the photo, a lesbian couple can be seen kissing among the chaos surrounding them. White notes that even in the socially turbulent time of the late ’60s, no one found it their business to get involved with the couple in focus.
White described the photo as “one of his favourites”, before explaining its relevance to the recent situation in Canada.
“It’s 2018 now and two people expressing affection shouldn’t have to hide,” he said.
“The news that two women were stopped from kissing during my show in Edmonton really disappointed me.”
White added that at his next headline show in Canada — scheduled for Calgary — the White Stripes alum will dedicated his track ‘Love Interruption’ “to the two women and encouraged everyone in the crowd to kiss their loved ones”.
“Let’s promote love and acceptance wherever and whenever we can,” he said.
CBC reported the homophobic behaviour, which occurred during a performance at Edmonton on 2nd November. At one point during the show, concertgoer Allyson MacIvor reportedly went to kiss her female partner, only for a venue staff member to literally walk in between to pair, telling them,”This is not allowed here.”
MacIvor described the situation as “very violating and invasive”. So far, the couple have received apologies from venue management and the event organisers, Oilers Entertainment Group.
Read Jack White’s statement in full, below.
