Sam Smith says Madonna’s music is 'a lifeline' for queer people - Castanet

Some pop icons nod to the culture that made them; others actually show up. Charli XCX shows up. “I would not be the artist I am without the queer community,” Charli told Newsweek exclusively. “When the rest of the music industry didn't really get or understand my vision, the queer community did, and they uplifted me and made me feel comfortable in who I am, not only as an artist, but a person. And so anything that I can do to sort of give back in any kind of way is just really important to me.” She proved that in full force by headlining a packed celebration in West Hollywood on October 10 for National PrEP Day—an initiative founded by telehealth platform MISTR to expand access to free and low-cost HIV prevention, now officially recognized with bipartisan Congressional support across in addition to multiple state and municipal governments nationwide. ... “I think it's just a really important event to continue to amplify the cause and to continue to try and destigmatize HIV prevention,” the Grammy-winner said. “Looking after your sexual health is just such a normal thing to want to do, and there's still so much shame around that conversation.