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Voter Registrations Surge Following Taylor Swift's Political Instagram
Her open support of pro-LGBT candidates has spiked registrations around the country!
Taylor Swift came out of the closet as a Democrat last weekend to her 112 million Instagram followers—and a surge of voter registrations followed.
On Sunday night, the notoriously private pop star broke her political silence and urged her followers to vote for two Tennessee Democrats running for Senate and the House of Representatives.
"In the past, I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now," Swift began.
She continued:
"I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent. I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love."
The post quickly went viral and has nearly 1.9 million likes.
It looks like pop stars can influence politics! CNBC reports that nearly 65,000 Americans aged 18-29 registered to vote in the 24-hours following Swift's post. And by 12pm ET today, the number grew to more than 102,000, 70% of which are below 25-years-old.
Swift's endorsement of Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives has even reached Donald Trump and apparently rubbed him the wrong way. "Let's just say I like her music about 25% less now," he said in an interview.
It's great that Swift is using her voice now to openly support LGBT people, women, and minorities, but it still stings to think of what might've happened if she had spoken up in 2016.
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
