Christina Aguilera wants to make a change.
In the wake of the mass shooting early Sunday morning at a queer nightclub in Orlando, Florida, many celebrities have paid tribute to the victims with powerful speeches and tearful pleas, while others have remained deafeningly silent.
Aguilera, who has been a longtime advocate of the LGBT community, released a new single "Change" on Thursday to commemorate those impacted by the tragedy. All proceeds from downloads on iTunes between now and Sept. 14 will go to the National Compassion Fund, which directly benefits victims of the massacre and their families.
In addition, the singer penned a strongly worded note addressing the shooting on her personal website, encouraging her followers to embrace individuality and celebrate diversity.
"The horrific tragedy that occurred in Orlando continues to weigh heavily on my mind," she wrote. "I am sending so much love and so many prayers to the victims and their families. Like so many, I want to help be part of the change this world needs to make it a beautiful inclusive place where humanity can love each other freely and passionately."
Immediately after the shooting, Aguilera expressed her support for the 49 people gunned down in the attack as well as those injured, possibly hinting that her new single was already in the works.
"We live in a time of diversity, in a time of endless possibilities, in a time where expression of oneself is something to be celebrated," Aguilera added on her website. "And I am left wondering how people filled with so much love could be taken by so much hate."
The lyrics of her song reflect a similar sentiment. Aguilera sings lines including "Who you love or the color of your skin / Or the place that you were born and grew up in / Shouldn't decide how you will be treated / 'Cause we're all the same when everybody's breathing."
Take a listen to her new single below:
Before You Go
