Melanie C canceled her appearance at a Polish New Year’s Eve event after learning about concerns “that do not connect with the groups I serve.”
On Saturday, The Spice Girl was scheduled to perform Zakopane. She did not give a reason for her cancellation of the event, but LGBT individuals and allies applauded her choice.
For their positions on LGBT rights, Polish authorities and the TV station that organized the performance have come under heavy fire recently.
The singer announced on social media that she would no longer be able to perform in Poland on New Year’s Eve as scheduled due to several issues that had been brought to her knowledge and did not correspond with the communities she supported.
“I intend to visit again shortly. Wishing you everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2023.
She withdrew “under the weight of internet remarks,” according to state broadcaster TVP, which is organizing the New Year’s Eve event.
BBC News has enquired further about Melanie C’s motivations via her spokeswoman
The celebrity ally award at the British LGBT Awards in 2021 and the title of “Honorary Gay” at Attitude magazine’s awards earlier this year demonstrate the star’s prominent support for LGBT rights.
Left-leaning Polish legislators Robert Biedron and Beata Maciejewska applauded her choice, writing: “Equality is equality. No compromise or discussion
In recent years, hatred of LGBT rights has escalated in Poland, where conservative politicians, including those in the ruling party, routinely target that group.
The LGBT movement was deemed “more damaging” than communism in 2019, according to President Andrzej Duda, while around 100 cities and regions issued resolutions denouncing “LGBT ideology.”
In Poland, same-sex unions and weddings are not recognized by the law. Additionally, same-sex couples are not permitted to adopt children by law.
Amnesty International stated earlier this year that “the climate of hatred toward LGBTI people in Poland is growing alarmingly worse.”
Reporters Without Borders refers to TVP as a “weapon of government propaganda.”
The network was recently told to show an apology for a 2019 documentary called Invasion, which promised to uncover “the inside story, goals, techniques, and money behind the LGBT invasion” of Poland, claims the nation’s Campaign Against Homophobia.
Melanie C unexpectedly resigned from the performance today under the pressure of online comments, TVP said in a statement in response to her cancellation, as quoted by Polishnews.co.uk. The singer had earlier expressed her delight about appearing.
She will also take part in the earlier this month taped New Year’s Eve concert on BBC One, which will be hosted by Sam Ryder.
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