As the ongoing battle over Eminem's controversial lyrics continues, one of his latest collaborators is taking steps to distance herself from the criticism.
Openly queer singer-songwriter Sia has announced that she will be donating her share of proceeds from "Beautiful Pain," off Em's new album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
The album, like some of the rapper's previous projects, has been criticized for being laden with homophobic lyrics. And although Eminem has repeatedly insisted he doesn't have a problem with homosexuals and that he supports marriage equality, MMLP2 has exposed a lot of old wounds, going as far back as 2000, when he rapped about stabbing gay people.
According to SheWired, Sia's donations will help fund "a 50-bed shelter, a transitional living program, medical care, meals, clothing, counseling, GED prep programs, job placement services and more" for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.
Sia has said she doesn't think Eminem has anything against the LGBT community, noting on Twitter that she does not "believe that Eminem is actually homophobic."
For his part, Eminem told Rolling Stone that in his early days coming up in rap battles, [gay slurs were] just thrown around so freely back then … Not saying it’s wrong or it’s right, but at this point in my career—man, I say so much shit that’s tongue-in-cheek. I poke fun at other people, myself. But the real me sitting here right now talking to you has no issues with gay, straight, transgender, at all. I’m glad we live in a time where it’s really starting to feel like people can live their lives and express themselves. And I don’t know how else to say this, I still look at myself the same way that I did when I was battling and broke."