Derek Webb, the lead singer for the Christian band Caedmon’s Call, revealed why he chose to wear a dress to the Dove Awards.
On Oct. 20, Webb, 49, who is an “ally” of the LGBT community, posted a video on his TikTok page sharing his reasoning behind his decision to wear women’s clothing to the Christian music award show.
“Why did I wear a dress to the Dove Awards? As a cis, straight white man, I walk into a room like that, and any room, with an incredible amount of advantage and privilege,” he explained.
Webb continued, “If I’m attending as an ally of friends and colleagues, I should do everything possible to surrender that privilege at the door. If the way you look at my loved ones isn’t the way you look at me, I’m not truly standing with them.”
@derekwwebb re: the dove awards and allyship photos by the incomparable @emtingley #allyship #dragqueen #flamygrant #selmer #christiantiktok #exvangelical #deconstruction #derekwebb #ccm ♬ original sound – Derek Webb
He quoted LGBT-affirming pastor Stan Mitchell, saying, “If you claim to be someone’s ally but aren’t getting hit by stones thrown at them, you aren’t standing close enough.”
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“Plus, I have amazing legs,” Webbs concluded.
The “Hope to Carry On” singer reposted the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, and was hit with backlash.
“Weak, feminine men are the end of every civilization. This time is no different,” one user wrote.
Another user wrote, “Not sure what point you were trying to make (sic) You are a man who put on a dress and you were still a man – you didn’t ‘become’ a woman, there was no metamorphosis (sic) That’s the point being a woman isn’t an outfit, hair do (sic) or declaration.”
Not sure what point you were trying to make
— Nicky 🍀💙OFAB♀️KPSS (@Drusilla451) October 20, 2023
You are a man who put on a dress and you were still a man – you didn't 'become' a woman, there was no metamorphosis
That's the point being a woman isn't an outfit, hair do or declaration
“So we would know which master you serve, and it sure ain’t Jesus,” one user stated.
So we would know which master you serve, and it sure ain’t Jesus.
— Sarah😊🇺🇸 (@fuller0713) October 20, 2023
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines also slammed Webb for his statement.
Wow. Has anyone told you how brave you are today?
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) October 20, 2023
Desperate for attention. Still holding on to the hope this is a parody account. https://t.co/KIbJiF4SUA
“Wow. Has anyone told you how brave you are today?” she wrote in the caption of the video.
She proceeded to call Webb “Desperate for attention.”
“Still holding on to the hope this is a parody account,” she said.