Beyonce slammed for Grammys speech thanking queer community after $24m Dubai gig
Many of Beyonce's fans were far from impressed by her nod to the LGBT+ community during her Grammys speech - weeks after accepting a mega money deal to perform in anti-gay Dubai.
The superstar was called out after reportedly earning $24million (£20m) for her controversial gig in the Middle East last month.
Taking home $280,000 (£232,000) per minute for her private concert, she caused outrage by saying yes to play in the notoriously homophonic nation.
Gay icon Beyonce appeared to try and repair the damage last night.
After winning her 32nd gong at the ceremony, she tearfully thanked her husband Jay-Z, her children and late gay uncle in a heartfelt acceptance speech.
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The gay icon has 'disappointed' the community (CBS via Getty Images)She offered a special mention to the 'queer community' as she made history on Sunday night.
Her gig in Dubai saw her perform 19 tracks - including a duet with her 11-year-old daughter Blue-Ivy.
She performed a medley of songs at the launch of the Atlantis The Royal, which is being billed as world’s most luxurious hotel.
But Beyoncé was accused of casting "a shadow over her support for lesbians and gay people" in the country where homosexuality is illegal.
Her thanks to her LGBT+ fans appeared to do little to defuse the tension.
The superstar was paid an eye-watering amount to perform in Dubai (Getty Images for Atlantis The Ro)
She thanked the 'queen community' in her speech last night (Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock)Many took to twitter to register their annoyance and called out the star for what some considered hypocrisy.
One fumed: "Am I the only one who thought…Beyoncé shouldn’t have won?? Because her album was dedicated to the Black Queer community and then went to Dubai to make quick profit??"
Another wrote: "Beyoncé thanked the queer community at the Grammys… having just being paid $24m for a show in Dubai where homosexuality and gender reassignment are illegal. Why do all these huge celebrities think they can have it both ways??
A third put: "Hmmm… @Beyonce thanks the Queer community in #GRAMMYs speech but was paid an extortionate amount to play in Dubai recently where it’s illegal to be Queer and punishable by death. Seems somewhat hypocritical to me!!"
The star said in the speech: "Thank you, God. I'd like to thank my uncle Jonny, who's not here. But he's here in spirit.
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Her performance in the Middle East angered many fans (Getty Images for Atlantis The Ro)"I'd like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me and pushing me. I'd like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are at home watching.
"I'd like to thank the queer community for your love. And for inventing this genre. God bless you. Thank you so much to the Grammys. Thank you."
This isn't the first time an entertainment icon was criticised for working in a middle eastern country where homosexuality is illegal.
Late last year, comedian Joe Lycett appeared to shred £10,000 after David Beckham didn't respond to his ultimatum to pull out of his role as an ambassador at the Qatar World Cup.
In Dubai - which is part of the United Arab Emirates - homosexuality is also illegal under Sharia law and those taking part in consensual sodomy can face up to 10 years behind bars.
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