8 organizations working to support LGBTQ+ rights in the music industry
Here, the good people at Symphonic share some of their favorite organizations working to support LGBTQ+ rights in the music industry today, and what you can do to help them and get involved.
Guest post by Randi Zimmerman of the Symphonic Blog
Symphonic is embedded within an amazing community of businesses, organizations, and badass people who devote their lives to helping others get their voices heard while spreading acceptance and education all over the world. That being said, here are some of our favorite organizations supporting LGBTQ+ rights in the music industry right now and all year round…
8 Organizations Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights in the Music Industry
BFTA Collective
The Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (BTFA) Collective is an art collective for Black trans women and non-binary femmes. This organization works to create spaces for the production and preservation of Black trans art and culture by building community with Black trans femme artists and providing them with the resources and support necessary to thrive.
Founded in 2019 by Jordyn Jay, BTFA has created an uplifting, joyous space for Black trans women and non-binary femme artists to showcase their talent, advance their artistic careers, and explore the possibilities of their own creativity. // Learn more about them and how to get involved here.
LGBT Academy of Recording Arts (LARA)
LARA’s mission is to increase visibility and promote the advancement, contributions, and appreciation of LGBT+ music, entertainment, culture, and heritage as an equivalent entertainment platform. In addition, their focus lies within creating opportunities to support the development of young aspiring artists in a safe space where they can thrive and become industry professionals in the field of their interest. // Check out the organization and get involved here.
A Club Called Rhonda
Honoring dance music’s radical, queer roots of color is deeply embedded in A Club Called Rhonda, while effortlessly educating partygoers remains a part of their purpose. Co-Founder Gregory Alexander explains, “… dance music and club culture were built by queer people, people of color, people from underprivileged backgrounds, from inner cities.”
A Club Called Rhonda is more than just an all inclusive party experience, it embodies everything the community works so hard for: a reliable space built on safety, education, inclusivity, expression, and support. // Get involved and learn more here.
Community Bread
Community Bread is a queer-owned livestream & resource platform connecting audiences around the world with marginalized artists so they can easily receive donations to offset economic hardship during this global pandemic. They’ve raised over $20,000 in support of +50 international artists such as DJ Minx, Jasmine Infiniti & CEM, and charity organizations like Trans Women of Color Collective, The Ali Forney Center, ORAM, G.L.I.T.S., & The Trevor Project.
Even more, Community Bread features over 25 LGBTQ+ & POC nightlife collectives that have been integral in building their local music and arts scene from Singapore’s Eternal Dragonz to Bulto in Columbia. They provide a directory of resources and financial opportunities for artists, venues, and businesses, as well as actionable means to fight against social and economic injustices. // Get involved here.
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Learn more…
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Tune in to Symphonic’s Pride Playlist on Spotify
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HE.SHE.THEY
HE.SHE.THEY is an international, non-prejudicial & inclusive events collective operating at the intersection of art, fashion and music. They work to create a place without prejudice for people to be people regardless of their age, race, sex, gender, ability, religious background or sexual preference. This has been achieved by taking over iconic clubs around the world, such as Pacha, Ministry of Sound, Watergate, Rex Club, De Marktkantine, Digital, Fabric and more, and creating within them diverse and inclusive event programming – from DJs to hosts. // Check out more right here.
The Trevor Project
Founded in 1998 by the creators of the Academy Award®-winning short film TREVOR, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. // Want to get involved? Click here.
Color Of Music Collective
The Color of Music Collective was started to amplify the voices of people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals working in the music industry. They provide free, virtual panels once a week and so much more. // Learn more here.
TransLatin Coalition
Members of the TransLatin Coalition (TLC) are transgender Latina leaders who come together from all across the country, donating their time to organize and advocate for the issues and needs of Trans Latin community living in the United States. Their amazing vision is all about working to amplify education and resources to promote the empowerment of Trans leaders. // Learn more, donate, or just check out their official website here.
Spread The Love. Do Your Part. Support the Community.
We’re in this together.
