America’s Got Talent singer Jackie Evancho stirred controversy when she signed on to sing the National Anthem at Donald Trump’s inauguration. The LGBT community was particularly dismayed, as the sixteen year old’s older sister, Juliet, is transgender.
The classical singer may be feeling a few Trump regrets right now, after the President ended federal protection for transgender students that allowed them to use public school bathrooms and locker rooms matching their gender identities.
In fact, the family is embroiled in their own legal fight against their local school district in Pennsylvania on 18 year old Juliet’s behalf to allow her right to use women’s bathrooms.
Evancho took to twitter to express her displeasure. “I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide,” Jackie wrote on twitter.
I am obviously disappointed in the @POTUS decision to send the #transgender bathroom issue to the states to decide. #sisterlove
— jackie evancho (@jackieevancho) February 22, 2017
The singer also asked Trump to meet with her and her sister to discuss transgender issues. “@realDonaldTrump you gave me the honor to sing at your inauguration,” Jackie wrote. “Please give me and my sis the honor to meet with you to talk transgender rights.”
. @realDonaldTrump u gave me the honor 2 sing at your inauguration. Pls give me & my sis the honor 2 meet with u 2 talk #transgender rghts ?
— jackie evancho (@jackieevancho) February 23, 2017
If I were Jackie and Juliet, I wouldn’t hold my breath. I hope the publicity and exposure was worth supporting a politician who won’t stand up for her sister’s rights.
UPDATE: Jackie and her sister appeared on Good Morning America today.
“I guess I just want to enlighten him on what my sister, I’ve seen her go through every single day in school and people just like her, what they deal with,” Jackie told GMA. “The discrimination, it’s terrible.”
Jackie would sing for the president if he asked again.
“The reason why I did sing for the inauguration was not politics,” she said. “It was for the honor and privilege to perform for my country and that will stay the same I think.”
