Belinda Carlisle’s LGBTQ+ advocacy is a lesson for detractors after BBC Breakfast interview

Singer and former member of the cult new-wave group The Go-Go’s, Belinda Carlisle, made an appearance on this morning’s BBC Breakfast programme. The appearance however led to social media users once again taking arms at how the Circle In The Sand singer looked, rather than the actual reason for her appearance.

But for those who like us at Peopleworld still think she is stunning at 64, we were more interested in what she had to say - especially as the singer is embarking on a tour across the United Kingdom currently. There was a consensus of music commentators a few years ago who believed that Belinda would be retiring, but as she mentioned on BBC Breakfast, “I thought well, you know, I’ve been doing this since I was 17, maybe it is time to slow down.”

“And I was planning on it, and then my son ran into Diane Warren at Starbucks. And they called me and I just thought, ‘do I really want to do this because it’s a big commitment?’ You know, it’s a year and a half or two years out of my life.”

“So when I went to the studio and heard the songs, I thought I would be so stupid to say no and I love the songs.”

The singer also revealed that her son was her biggest fan as he grew up, and as James Duke Mason took the first steps to come out as a member of the LGBTQI+ community to his mother, it was then that Belinda Carlisle became an ardent activist for the rights of not only her son but other members of the LGBTQI+ community.

I’ve always been incredibly proud of my LGBTQ following, and I will always be there to stand up for you.

Such has been Belinda’s advocacy for the community, even before her son came out, that in 2017 she penned an open letter for Billboard, explaining her reasons for being a prominent LGBTQI+ advocate during that year’s Pride month.

She wrote that “Pride is about showing the LGBTQ community that they have nothing to worry about — that everything is going to be okay. There’s a lot of love out there and that’s why we celebrate each and every June. I’ve always been incredibly proud of my LGBTQ following, and I will always be there to stand up for you.”

Only last year, Belinda Carlisle made another appearance for The Advocate, this time discussing with her son about being a parent to a child as part of the LGBTQI+ community. The interview very much showed how much love the singer has for both her son and the community: “ I only have one son, who’s gay, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“When Duke came out, the first thing I thought of is ‘What kind of world is he going to have to put up with?’ I think maybe I would probably be more protective, especially when he was in school and came out. I’ve always been very protective and maybe a little bit extra coddling, which my husband is guilty of that too, but that’s not a bad thing.

“So I just think it’s important for all of us to show acceptance of everything - flaws even - like it goes back to unconditional love.”

Perhaps some advice for those detractors who are still commenting this afternoon on Belinda’s appearance on Breakfast then?