Pink’s VMA Speech Was an F U to Gender Norms

Gender norms mean nothing to Pink.

While accepting her VMA Video Vanguard award for her extensive video catalogue, Pink told a story about her daughter, who once approached her and said that she was ugly because she “looked like a boy.”

Pink said that, following her daughter’s admission, she made a Powerpoint presentation highlighting the beauty of androgynous rock stars who, like her daughter, were mocked for transgressing gender. She included singers like Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Annie Lennox, Prince, Janis Joplin and George Michael.

Pink then added that she told her daughter that she had received similar criticisms about her own gender expression:

“They say that I look like a boy, or I’m too masculine, I have too many opinions. My body is too strong,” she said to people in the audience.

Pink then reassured her daughter and reminded her that she may act or look like a boy, but she continues to sell out arenas all over the world.

“Do you see me growing my hair? Do you see my changing my body? Do you see me changing the way I present myself to ehw rodl? Do you see me selling out arenas all over the world?” Pink asked.

“Baby girl, we don’t change,” Pink told her daughter. “We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl. We help other people to change so that hey can see more kinds of beauty.”

Pink then told those in the audience to “keep shining,” regardless of their gender expression.

Twitter loved every second of it.

Pink’s speech was affirming androgyny, gender fluidity genius and strength. https://t.co/BFuGDeRuj6

— BitchMedia (@BitchMedia) August 28, 2017

Pink addressing her daughter about gender and beauty who is in the audience.
Feminist families, y’all.

— BitchMedia (@BitchMedia) August 28, 2017

@pink Yes honey preach on these gender stereotypes. #VMAs pic.twitter.com/vhNlqiq4zT

— Katy Petty VEVO (@Mat_Bentley) August 28, 2017

THIS SPEECH IS EVERYTHING @Pink BE YOU. BE YOUR MOST AUTHENTIC SELF. NEVER CHANGE #VMAS

— Niki DeMartino (@nikidemar) August 28, 2017

.@Pink‘s acceptance speech has us like… (via @GIPHY) pic.twitter.com/0WugslYgQW

— Page Six (@PageSix) August 28, 2017

Turns out, Pink is not only the queen of music videos she’s also the queen of gender fluidity.