J-Lo's #SuperProudAuntie Instagram Post Reminds Us All Why We Love Her
A big issue that people within the LGBT community often face is the acceptance - and more importantly, the correct use - of the pronouns that they choose to identify by, so when a celebrity with such a massive platform does it right, it goes down a storm.
Jennifer Lopez was praised after she posted a photo on her Instagram account, applauding her sister's non-binary child Brendan, for being selected by their school to take part in the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.
The post read:
“This is Brendan my sister Leslie's second child!! They were the one person selected to represent their school at #globalyoungleadersconference in Washington DC!!! And I couldn't be more proud!!! Brendan is strong and smart and loving and a [sic] obviously a leader!! Titi Jenn loves you!! #superproudauntie#familia❤”
Comments flooded in after J-Lo posted the photo to her 67.7million followers on the social network, with one user writing, “thanks for supporting your nibling in such a simple but effective way.”
Another read: “Thank you for using the pronouns Brendan prefers! You should be a celebrity just for that!”
This isn't the first time that Lopez has been recognised as an ally to the LGBT community. Back in 2014, she received the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards, an award which is “presented to artists and media professionals who, through their work have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual community.”
Since then, she's spoken openly about LGBT rights, as well as frequently tackling LGBT issues on her show, The Fosters, where she had both the leading role and position as executive producer. Most recently, she spoke about her late aunt, a lesbian actress who struggled both in work and family life.
Sadly, the post also generated a lot of negative and discriminatory commentary too, which only goes to show that we have a lot more work to do in order to provide equality for the LGBT community.
Having said that, negativity can never outweigh positivity, and this just reminds us why we love J-Lo so much.
