Beyoncé paid tribute to O’Shae Sibley after a tragic incident where he was stabbed over the weekend. The New York City Police Department is currently investigating his death as a potential hate crime.
On her official website, Beyoncé, aged 41, wrote, “REST IN POWER O’SHAE SIBLEY.”
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday night when O’Shae Sibley, 28, was at a Brooklyn gas station with his friends. Otis Pena, one of his friends, had recorded the night’s events and shared them on Facebook Live.
O’Shae, a talented professional dancer, was joyfully voguing to a Beyoncé song when he became the victim of a brutal attack. In the footage captured by Pena, a group of men approached them, hurling homophobic slurs at O’Shae and his friends. The situation escalated rapidly, resulting in O’Shae being stabbed.
He was immediately rushed to Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn due to stab wounds to his torso but, tragically, was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The New York City Police Department spokesperson stated to SurgeZirc UK that they are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, though no arrests have been made thus far.
In the wake of O’Shae Sibley’s passing, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation’s Ailey Extension, where O’Shae was a cherished and devoted student, expressed their mourning. They recalled his incredible energy and the love he received from both instructors and classmates.
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Signal, who openly identifies as gay, took to Twitter on Monday to share his heartbreak and anger over O’Shae’s death. He emphasized that hate-fueled attacks have no place in society.
GLAAD also released a statement on Tuesday, addressing Sibley’s death and highlighting the larger issues faced by the LGBTQ community. They decried the disturbing rise in violence and harassment and called for an end to this perilous trend.
The organization emphasized that no one should live in fear for merely being themselves and criticized the dangerous rhetoric perpetuated by certain politicians and media outlets, which creates an unwelcoming and threatening environment for LGBTQ individuals and people of color within the queer community.
Beyoncé has been a long-standing advocate for LGBTQ rights. She dedicated her album Renaissance to her Uncle Jonny, who introduced her to much of the music and culture that inspired the album. The album featured collaborations with prominent queer artists, furthering Beyoncé’s support for the LGBTQ community.
In recognition of their passionate advocacy for human rights and acceptance, Beyoncé and her husband JAY-Z were honored as LGBTQ Allies at the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in March 2019. GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, referred to the power couple as “global icons and passionate defenders of human rights and acceptance for all people.”
