Taking to Twitter to share her thoughts, Paramore’s Hayley Williams has made it clear that she will not stand for homophobia. Read both of Williams tweets below:
Tweet One:
“There’s a reason there are only three 3 left in @paramore, surprise, haters, it ain’t cause of me. Paramore do not condone religiously/politically dogmatic beliefs which leave our LGBTQ+ friends, fans, & family feeling abandoned and hopeless.”
Tweet Two:
“And ya know, if that doesn’t jive with you, well, feel free to go to where all the past members of Paramore have gone which is literally anywhere else but Paramore. To Paramore’s LGBTQ+ family (and @ColormeBrian I am talkin straight to you) you are full of love and you are loved.”
While she didn’t call out anyone specifically, fans believe she was referring to former guitarist Josh Farro, who left the band back in 2011. Users in the replies of Williams tweets have unearthed an alleged Facebook moment in which the former Paramore band member compares homosexuality with paedophilia.
The current and remaining members of Paramore and Farro have yet to respond to Williams’ tweets. Stay tuned to ALTFRESH for further updates.
UPDATE: Paramore drummer Zac Farro has responded to Williams’ tweets by tweeting a “letter” to the band’s LGBTQ+ fans. Read Farro’s “letter” in full below:
“Letter to our lgbtq+ fans. I want to say I love and support you all and have your back, and most of all, stand with you. I do not condone any actions that do not love and support your community.
When my brother and I left Paramore in 2010, there was a post about the band that I did not fully condone. My name was included on the post yes, but I had not been briefed on what the entirety of that message contained. I am openly speaking about this now being not only the founding drummer of Paramore, but also rejoining in 2016.
I am saying that I have a voice of my own and my voice stands with our band and our fans, not with words including me in actions I do not agree with. We all have our own voices and each powerful within themselves. Let’s use this power for love and peace, not separation and exclusivity.”
It’s fair to suggest Farro and Williams are on the same wavelength by condemning homophobia.