Ladies and gentlemen, our newest fearless femme on a mission: Beth Ditto! (To see all the previous featured femmes, click here!)
Beth is the lead singer of the American punk band Gossip and an out lesbian. Oh, and she’s a super awesome person. In fact, she was named the “coolest person on the planet” by NME Magazine in 2006. Her response? “I think ‘cool’ is probably the dumbest word in the world. I think the idea of being ‘cool’ is kind of ridiculous.. I think being nice is the coolest thing you can do.” And that, Beth Ditto, is why you are the coolest person on the planet and a fearless femme on a mission.
Also, she is an incredible singer. Here, listen!
Along with being a successful recording artist, Beth is also an activist in support of LGBT issues. In spite of being raised in a tiny town in the deep south with a nonexistent gay community, Beth says that she lucked out in having a really accepting family; her aunt would ask her “how lesbians have sex” at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Beth doesn’t shy away from speaking her mind. In an article with Attitude magazine, she responded to the “I Kissed a Girl” phenomenon by saying: “I hate Katy Perry. She’s offensive to gay culture. I’m so offended.” Beth describes the song as a “boner dyke anthem for straight girls who like to turn guys on by making out or, like, faking gay.” Preach, girl.
Beth continues, “She’s just riding on the backs of our culture without having to pay any of the dues and not being actually lesbian or anything at all. She’s on the cover of a fucking gay magazine.” I admire Beth for speaking her mind so fearlessly and for addressing the exploitation of the gay community that happens so frequently in pop culture.
In addition to championing LGBT causes, Beth also works to increase visibility for people of all shapes and sizes. One way she does so is by posing on the cover of magazines completely nude in an effort to show the world that big is beautiful.
Addressing the subject in an interview on British television show The Friday Night Project, Beth laughingly shouts, “Fat people are naked sometimes!” Then, she gets a little more serious. “I think it’s good for people to see that there is more than one kind of body. And actually, our bodies are more common than these stick figures that you always see. Some people are naturally thin and some people are naturally big. Some people don’t have legs, and some people can’t see, and some people can, and that’s just the way it is. I think that there should be more diversity.”
Beth Ditto charms with her infectious personality, bold femininity and killer voice, making her one fearless femme on a mission!
Now watch her sing:
What do you think of Beth? Do you agree with her comments about Katy Perry? Let’s talk it out!
femme on a mission 
Testify, sista! I have adored Beth Ditto for years (though I have to say, I love the Gossip of years past more than the new, dancier Gossip). And hell yes, I absolutely agree with her regarding Katy Perry.
Good to know – I only recently became familiar with them, so I will def check out their old stuff!
They’re old stuff is very different. Very low-fi. The first EP is one of my favorites ever.
I agree whole heartedly on the whole Katy Perry thing. I’m also offended.