Katy Perry released a heavily edited version of Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker‘s controversial commencement speech on Sunday.
In Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College in May, he condemned abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia and the LGBTQ community. He also denounced the “diabolical lies” being told to women about their place in society, later stating that a woman’s “most important title” should be “homemaker.”
“Fixed this for my girls, my graduates, and my gays,” Perry wrote on Instagram. “You can do anything, congratulations and happy Pride.”
In Butker’s edited speech made by Perry, it reads: “For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved at this point in your young lives. 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. I say all of this to you because I have seen 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. 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 to all of you, and congratulations class of 2024.”
In reality, Butker told the audience, “How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
The NFL distanced itself from Butker’s commencement speech, saying “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,” Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a statement.
