MSNBC's 'Defending Pride' Special Gives LGBTQ+ Voices a Platform

In "Defending Pride," a new special set to air on the final day of Pride month, out MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart will talk with leaders and celebrities about ongoing efforts to defend LGBTQ+ rights.

Today, MSNBC announced the special and revealed key guests Chasten Buttigieg, out actors Raven-Symoné and Juliana Joel, president of the Human Rights Campaign Kelley Robinson, and drag artist Marti Gould Cummings.

In a release, the network shared quotes from these guests' discussions with Capehart, whose weekend shows are staples of MSNBC programming.

On the importance of queer visibility in media, Raven's Home star Raven-Symoné said, "If we don’t show all kinds of people, then we’re not doing our job.”

In another conversation, Chasten Buttigieg referenced LGBTQ+ book-banning efforts by conservatives, stating, "You're limiting who is going to see themselves reflected in the stories that you read. And then you're also limiting the possibility of creating a more empathetic and compassionate classroom full of students who might be able to see their place in the world a little bit differently."

"You're really sort of limiting opportunities for folks to be bigger thinkers, more compassionate, more understanding, more empathetic, more loving," he continued.

Asked about the importance of queer visibility, Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson told Capehart, "It's so, so, so important. I mean, right now it's not only the bad legislation that we're seeing, but everywhere that we go to feel safe is being targeted."

"I mean, I've heard stories of children's hospitals being threatened with bomb threats," she added, "Targets getting bomb threats because of their allyship with the LGBTQ+ community. They are launching a campaign of fear and violence, and the only way to combat that is with love and visibility."

Other featured guests include Oklahoma Rep. Mauree Turner and Colorado Rep. Brianna Titone.

The full special will air Friday, June 30, on MSNBC at 11pm ET and is available for streaming on Peacock.