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Hayley Williams Draws Line: No Racist or Anti-Trans Fans on Tour

Published 1 hour ago2 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Hayley Williams Draws Line: No Racist or Anti-Trans Fans on Tour

Hayley Williams, the acclaimed frontwoman of Paramore, has announced a stringent policy of inclusivity for her highly anticipated 2026 solo tour, which has seen an expanded run of dates due to overwhelming demand. Williams clarified her intention for these performances to serve as explicitly inclusive spaces, making it unequivocally clear that individuals harboring discriminatory views should not anticipate comfort at her events.

In a recent interview with Clash, Williams articulated her desire for the tour to be an environment where every fan can “feel welcome to the party.” However, she stressed that this commitment necessitates a public declaration regarding who she does not wish to be present. “I don’t want racists around, and I don’t want sexist people around, and I don’t want people there who think that trans people are a burden,” she asserted, marking it as a “hard line” for her. Williams expressed a hope that those holding such beliefs might “walk in the door and realise that the gang’s all here, all banded together around something positive,” before unequivocally stating: “All are welcome if you believe all should be welcome… If you don’t believe that, you’re not welcome.”

The upcoming tour is set to support her latest solo album, *Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party*. The North American leg is scheduled to commence on March 28 in Atlanta, with subsequent stops planned in major cities including Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Oakland, and Los Angeles. Following these dates, Williams will embark on the UK and European legs of the tour in June of next year.

Williams has a long-standing history of leveraging her platform to champion equality, particularly within her home state of Tennessee. Last year, she famously declined an official state honor, using the opportunity to critique the actions of the state’s Republican leadership. She specifically called out what she identified as “blatant racism” and actively encouraged young people to cast their votes with equality as a guiding principle.

Beyond her political advocacy, the singer has openly addressed the sexism she has encountered throughout her career. In 2022, she revealed that she refrained from playing guitar on stage due to the anticipated likelihood of derisive comments. Furthermore, in 2023, she confronted online backlash following the postponement of Paramore shows due to illness, directly challenging “internet bros” and clarifying that most rock bands would not endorse such behavior. This consistent stance underscores her dedication to fostering respectful and equitable environments, both on and off the stage.

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