Justice Smith has came out as queer in a powerful statement on Instagram.
The Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Detective Pikachu star attended a Black Lives Matter protest in New Orleans on Saturday, June 6, and called out those were loudly chanting “Black Lives Matter,” but were hesitant when the chants included trans and queer:
“As a black queer man myself, I was disappointed to see certain people eager to say Black Lives Matter, but hold their tongue when Trans/Queer was added. I want to reiterate this sentiment: if your revolution does not include Black Queer voices, it is anti-black,” Smith wrote on Instagram.
“It is in our conditioning to get as close to whiteness, straightness, maleness as we can because that’s where the power is. And if we appeal to it, maybe it’ll give us a slice. But the revolution is not about appeal,” he continued. “It is about demanding what should have been given to us from the beginning. What should have been given to black, queer, and trans individuals from the beginning. Which is the right to exist. To live and prosper in public. Without fear of persecution or threat of violence.”
Not only did Simth come out, but he also revealed his boyfriend is Queen Sugar actor Nicholas Ashe:
“There is so much tragedy on the timeline these last couple of days so I added some photos of me and Nic to show some #blackboyjoy #blacklove #blackqueerlove ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 You’ve been my rock and guiding light through all of this and I love you so much. I know that on the other side of this Is change, though the fight is far from over.”
Justice Smith just came out as a queer man with his boyfriend and I couldn't be more proud of him. I love him and I wish him and his boyfriend all the love, happiness and positivity in this world. Love wins ️❤️ pic.twitter.com/6dGEDemdDF
— ؘ (@glossyvuitton) June 6, 2020
The actor also tweeted out: “yo tf i didn’t come out, y’all came in.” Which as of Monday morning had garnered more than 150,000 likes.
yo tf i didn’t come out, y’all came in
— Justice Smith (@standup4justice) June 6, 2020
Congrats to the happy couple!