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Home » Blogs » Jen Sabella's blog » Beth Ditto defends her community and gives women something to wear

Beth Ditto defends her community and gives women something to wear

by
Jen Sabella

Years ago, if you would have told me Beth Ditto would be gracing the covers of fashion magazines and being a real fierce advocate for gay rights in the mainstream media, I would have called you crazy.

“There’s no way the general public can appreciate Beth as much as we do,” I would have said. But in true Ditto style, she has not only made it big, but continues to speak her mind — whether it’s about gay marriage or plus sized clothing.

In an interview with Spinner.com last week, Ditto was informed of Katy Perry’s reaction to her alleged remarks about Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” Just to recap, everyone was reporting that Ditto called Perry a “boner dyke” who was "offensive to gay culture.” Though it is unclear as to if Ditto or Gossip drummer Hannah Blilie made the comment, Beth stood by the statement when she found out Perry said she wasn’t “impressed” with Ditto:

I feel guilty because it is such a funny expression and Hannah didn't get the credit for it. But I don't feel differently than Hannah.

It's not about Katy Perry. It's about this song and its innocence on her part. To [Katy], it's just this party song. But as a gay person, it's like, "Oh, of course this straight person singing about kissing a girl goes straight to Top 40 and people buy this record. Who can give a f--k about real gay people?" That's what's really painful about the whole thing. That's what makes me laugh about "I'm not impressed." It's like, "Oh, that's what you think? Of course, because you never thought about what a real gay person feels, and the impact that a song like that has on the gay world in a time of crucial civil rights.' That's just one of the examples of what the mainstream is thinking about queer culture, when actually, we are completely fighting for our rights right now.

While obviously it’s not Perry’s fault that gay marriage isn’t legal (in most states, that is), we can see her concerns. Everyone wants to sing along with her song, perhaps kiss their BFF for shock value at a party and get wasted on the streets of the nearest Pride parade — but does the general public actually care about gays past that point? Ditto goes on to explain how the lack of rights for gay couples has affected her personally:

I'm 28 years old … I had surgery when I was 23. My partner was kicked out of the room — at that time, we'd been dating for four years or something — and in the rudest, most f---ed up way. That s--t is real, and that's what I don't think people realize. They're like, "Oh, gay marriage." No, you try being a really scared 23-year-old in this hospital room that's 3,000 miles from home, and the only person that you have is your partner, who can't stay because you're not married or they're not your relative. That's insane and absolutely scares me to death.

I don't care [Perry] writes a song about kissing a girl, but there are people who kiss girls in their everyday life, and it's not as easy as just kissing a girl and everyone loving you. It'd be really rad to hear her talk about something like that.

Unlike the Prez, it’s nice to see someone really out there, discussing how denying marriage to gays isn’t just about a ceremony and reception — it’s about actual civil liberties being denied to a group of tax paying American citizens.

Aside from her “battle” with Perry, Ditto has also been busy with the new Gossip album, Music for Men (summer dance jam heaven, by the way) and getting her new clothing ready for its July 9 debut. Jezebel.com gave a preview of the line last week.

The line is available in sizes 14 to 24 only, and the UK-based store Evans, where it's being sold, ships to the U.S. (but watch out because the size conversions are a little different).

The brightly colored clothing reflects Ditto’s personal style — and it’s really cool that she backed up her opinions about fashion options for bigger ladies by doing something about it.

Say what you will about Beth Ditto, but there is no question that she is a woman making the most out of this cruel, cruel world.

  • Jen Sabella's blog
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    • Submitted by
    Jen Sabella
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    strict machine's picture

    ah i love her

    Submitted by
    strict machine (4434 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:07pm.

    the clothing range looks really cool too.

     

    just to let people in the state know a uk size 14 is a us 12, uk 20 is us 18.  basically just go up a size

    riotgrrrljaz's picture

    i vote Beth to be the

    Submitted by
    riotgrrrljaz (96 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:08pm.

    i vote Beth to be the next president!

    ______________________________________________ 

    We Want Revolution Grrrl Style Now! -BIKINI KILL 

    megsaintg's picture

    Beth Ditto

    Submitted by
    megsaintg (30 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:19pm.

    Is Amazing!! I can not wait to listen to the Gossip's new album. I saw them at Webster Hall a few years ago and she blew me away with her fierce stage presence!! 

    "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there"

    Symetta's picture

    Dito!

    Submitted by
    Symetta (14 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:26pm.

    She is right! I hate that dam song too...

    Nice fashion.

     

     

    Be honest to yourself!!!

    clik scribe's picture

    ok

    Submitted by
    clik scribe (144 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:32pm.

    i love that she has her own plus size clothing line...but you like how the model is still on the slender side? hmmm...

    Atro's picture

    Yeah,

    Submitted by
    Atro (83 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 3:47pm.

    I was just thinking that.

     

    - - - - - - - - -

    http://skooks.tumblr.com/

    Misty Fye's picture

    Seriously? That means the

    Submitted by
    Misty Fye (7 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 4:01pm.

    Seriously? That means the clothes will fit me. I'm anywhere between a 12 and 16. Depends, cause I'm fairly large chested (understatement of the year) but i'm under the plus sizes in my waist size. YAY!

     

    Also I'd believe that that model is roughly still a decent size like 10-12. 

    Corinne's picture

    Beth Ditto is our goddess

    Submitted by
    Corinne (13 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 5:06pm.
    I love her and her music is fierce.  I just got her new CD and I highly recommend it.
    solesister's picture

    Go Beth you tell em girl.....

    Submitted by
    solesister (119 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 6:56pm.

    ......i love the way Beth just comes out and says what she feels, she is a real spokesperson for Gay rights.    I couldn't stand that song, yeah it's catchy, but it's just jumping on the "Lesbians are chic right now - let's try kissing a girl and see what it's like and make a pop song about it" - utter crap.  Beth is so right.....we don't need it. Well done Beth - and your clothing is fab !   Your music is awesome as well.  

    Polyester Queen's picture

    Katy Perry is unimpressed with Beth Ditto?

    Submitted by
    Polyester Queen (101 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 7:23pm.
    Girl, Beth Ditto has more style, talent, and charisma in her little finger than you could ever hope to have.
    Manuela's picture

    Soooooo  trueeeeeee

    Submitted by
    Manuela (178 posts)
    on June 27, 2009 - 2:43pm.
    Soooooo  trueeeeeee
    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Awesome. I love how Bette

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on June 25, 2009 - 8:04pm.
    Awesome. I love how Bette Ditto always stands up for what she believes in, despite whatever drama it may cause. I agree with Bette on Katy Perrie's song  and please..Katy is not impressed? lol ok, this is coming from someone whose music has no substance whatsoever, like omgee "you're so gay"..deep stuff, really, Katy.
    Melissa Hsu's picture

    right on sistah

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on June 25, 2009 - 9:47pm.

    i have no problem with katy perry but i do find the dismissal of a real issue to be rather inconsiderate you know? and i love that onesie ahh i love it

    Lunakiss's picture

    Beth Ditto

    Submitted by
    Lunakiss (2084 posts)
    on June 25, 2009 - 10:12pm.

    Beth is a very intelligent womyn. I am very proud of her. She 's definitely right about the truth behind the pop song and the big deal about  just kissing a girl isn't just about kissing the girl for those of us who live "in the life."  I couldn't said it  better myself.

    I'm sorry she had to endure ignorance during a crucial and difficult time in her life.

    Right on Beth. So glad she told her story.

    Brutal_Romance's picture

    bravo for ditto

    Submitted by
    Brutal_Romance (384 posts)
    on June 26, 2009 - 3:38pm.

    im glad that someone addresed this problem. although many people (some even gay) say that Perry's song is nothing but 'harmless fun', it does unintentionally put us all under a bad light, and views alternative sexuality as some sort of a party activity and nothing else.

    a complain to Ditto, if she's ever going to read this. if her clothline is aimed at plus-sized women, why arent the models plus-size as well? there are plenty of gorgous plus-sized models out there that would do a great job modeling her clothline. this just dosnt make sense at all.

     

     

    bornforthis22's picture

    Why hate...

    Submitted by
    bornforthis22 (1 post)
    on June 30, 2009 - 11:10pm.

    I had a whole damn rant that I wrote and it got erased, it was brilliant... ha. Anyways guess I will just keep it short this time...or not. Why is there so much Katy Perry hate? I mean really... For not wanting to be judged people sure are judging her a lot. Her song is about curiosity, which I can relate to and so can a lot of other people. Don't judge her on one or two songs you have heard, her entire album is amazing. She worked 5 long years on it and I'm so happy for her success. I wanted to put out a katycats (fan) opinion on it.

    With the things Beth said about her I think she was very classy to just say she wasn't impressed, I think Katy had a right to say that. Personally, I have met her and she was such a sweet person so I don't understand the hate. I know for a fact she supports the gay community, hello her best friend is a gay man. Well speaking of Markus I liked his article on this situation.

    http://markusisthedrug.onsugar.com/3345180

    I think it was great especially the last paragraph. You should read it.

    I just finally had to post something. I got fed up with all the Katy hate. If you disagree that is fine, I just think you should know something about a person before saying things about them. This site is really one of my favorites but I don't agree with some of the things said about Katy. I think she is a wonderful person who gets judged unfairly just because of her song I kissed a girl. (which is a great song) Sorry for rambling, have a good day everyone. :-) 


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