To celebrate the “girls, graduates, and gays” on the first day of Pride Month, Katy Perry shared her own version of Harrison’s Butker’s controversial graduation speech.
“fixed this for my girls, my graduates, and my gays — you can do anything, congratulations and happy pride 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ 🧡” Perry wrote alongside an edited video of Butker’s speech.
In Katy Perry’s version, the Chiefs kicker’s speech conveyed an entirely new message, encouraging women to “lead successful careers.”
“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives,” Butker said.
“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you’re going to get in your career? I would venture to guess the women here today are going to lead successful careers in the world,” Butker continued.
“I say all of this to you because I have seen it firsthand, how much happier someone can be supporting women and not saying that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” Butker appeared to say.
Katy Perry’s Version of Harrison Butker’s Speech Celebrates Diversity
In the original speech, Harrison Butker claimed that the graduating “ladies present” had “the most diabolical lies told to [them]” about where their priorities should lie.
Rather than claiming women’s primary “vocation” should be that of mother and homemaker, Katy Perry’s edited version showed Harrison Butker celebrating diversity.
“The road ahead is bright. Things are changing, society is shifting and people young and old are embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. With that said, I want to say Happy Pride Month to all of you and congratulations Class of 2024!”
Harrison Butker’s original speech sparked outrage as he spoke out against working women, LGBTQ+ people, surrogacy, and IVF. He referred to Pride Month as a “deadly sin” with “an entire month dedicated to it.”
In the wake of the speech, the NFL’s Chief Diversity Officer gave a statement neither condoning nor condemning its contents.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
Former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn added his own thoughts in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Harrison Butker doesn’t represent Kansas City nor has he ever. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members.”