“…How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents, they kind of keep the world going. Teenage-girl fans – they don’t lie. If they like you, they’re there. They don’t act ‘too cool.’ They like you, and they tell you. Which is sick.”
— Styles in a 2017 Rolling Stone Interview
The One Direction boyband member embarked on his solo career early 2017, beginning with the release of his single “Sign of the Times.” Following this was Harry Styles’s debut self-titled album. Since then, Styles has embarked on two tours — the former consisting of smaller and further intimate crowds and the latter being a world tour ranging from Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia.
Throughout the numerous shows, Styles went out of his way to make his audience feel safe and welcomed, speaking of equality for all and publicly making known his support for the LGBT community, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the rally to end gun violence. Clothed in breathtaking, sparkly designer suits — Gucci, Calvin Klein, and Saint Laurent — Styles danced across stages with Pride flags, sported stickers on his guitars that read “END GUN VIOLENCE” and on various occasions, spoke to crowds of thousands and thousands of people about the support he had toward the Black Lives Matter movement.
Photograph via Instagram
Not only did the One Direction member surprise his fans with a brand new sound from his album, but he also managed to surprise and intrigue many skeptics who were impressed to see Styles using his fanbase of a combined nearly sixty million followers to speak out about many controversial topics.
For instance, at one of his earlier shows in Nashville, it was revealed that a pride flag was seized from a fan who was soon left feeling hurt and despondent as she could not express her feelings as she would have like to. As a result, Styles took it upon himself to bring the symbolic flag back out after hearing about the incident and ultimately proving that he is an enormous supporter of the LGBTQ community and will not let them or anyone else be silenced. Since then, there have been numerous successful attempts of fan projects in which they [the fans] wave pride flags throughout arenas and turn stadiums into a safe and supporting environment for the LGBTQ community. Thanks to Styles, many of his fans and others have reported to feeling both extremely safe and welcomed at his shows — his environment being intended for all.
Another topic of controversy that Styles has spoken openly a few times now includes that of gun violence and the fight to change the laws that surround said topic in order to create a safer and a better world. In March of 2018, Styles took to Twitter to share his encouragement toward the movement and urged others to do the same.
I just signed the @AMarch4OurLives petition, and you should too. Hhttps://t.co/elVhLe0zWb
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) March 2, 2018
“If you are black, if you are white, if you are gay, if you are straight, if you are transgender — whoever you are, whoever you want to be — I support you.”
On many occasions, Styles has also shared his beliefs on women’s rights. In September of 2014 he took to Twitter to support actress Emma Watson and her movement HeForShe which works towards gender equality. As a result, Styles gained the attention of many who praised the singer for encouraging the fight for women’s rights. In March, Styles also tweeted his support for International Women’s Day.
Thank you to all the incredible women paving the way. Happy International Women's Day. H
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) March 8, 2018
In today’s generation, with countless young adults struggling to battle mental health disorders and many others feeling helpless with the events taking place in our society including discrimination, gun violence, and the MeToo movement, Harry Styles acts as a light in the lives of those who are hoping to see a change in today’s world. By advocating for LGBTQ rights and supporting women and people of all races, Styles proves that he is searching to make a difference in today’s society, constantly advocating his slogan “Treat people with kindness,” at each of his shows and throughout his social media accounts in hopes to make the world a better place.
Photograph via Instagram
Harry Styles is viewed in the eyes of millions of people everywhere as an inspiration — proving to be the type of accepting, kindhearted and openminded person that our generation desperately needs today.
Featured Image via Instagram
