- Culture
- 02 Aug 23
O'Shae Sibley was a 28-year-old professional dancer. His murder is being investigated as a possible hate crime by New York police.
Mega pop star Beyoncé updated her website to honour O'Shae Sibley, the dancer who was killed over the weekend while vogueing to the singer's music.
"REST IN POWER O'SHAE SIBLEY" reads the front page of her website, over a black background.
Sibley was at a Brooklyn gas station with his friends on Saturday night, dancing to a Beyoncé song, when they were approached by a group of men. The men were filmed by Sibley's friend Otis Pena, and the footage shows the men shouting gay slurs at the group. The situation then became hostile, and Sibley was stabbed.
"The incident is being investigated as a possible biased incident," said a spokesman for the New York City Police Department. No arrests have yet been made.
On Tuesday, the American LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD released a statement about the event. "Sibley’s shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment against LGBTQ people across the U.S." they said. "This cannot continue. No one should have to fear for their safety just for being themselves."
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“O’Shae Sibley’s shocking murder follows a disturbing rise in violence and harassment against LGBTQ people across the U.S. This cannot continue. No one should have to fear for their safety just for being themselves." https://t.co/11GYaQPRrL
— GLAAD (@glaad) August 1, 2023
Beyoncé has forever been a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ community. She dedicated her album Renaissance to her late gay uncle Jonny, with the acclaimed record is celebrating black queer culture.
Beyoncé is currently in the midst of her Renaissance world tour and is set to perform in Washington, DC this weekend.