QUEER BRITAIN: the national LGBTQ+ museum’s Post

I stumbled upon an interesting thread on X and would love to hear others take on it, especially those of fellow LGBTQ users. The thread criticised a post which was pushing for the exclusion of cisgender, heterosexual partners of bisexual people from queer spaces, specifically a queer artists concert. Try saying that after a few pints! The criticism was that ‘zoomers’ have re-created gender essentialism, the idea that men and women have intrinsic qualities which make up stereotypes, the same philosophy that would have boys only playing with blue action figures and girls with pink barbies. This was because the OP was suggesting that straight cis men cannot enjoy the artists concert just because they lack that shared identity. Personally, I think that the exclusion of anyone from enjoying a queer artists music based on a lack of a shared identity is absurd, I can empathise and enjoy the art of straight musicians and the idea that straight men simply couldn’t get the story the musician is trying to tell seems awfully silly. Is one purpose of art not to give us insight into the experiences of others and providing the individual is respectful, why should they not be allowed to enjoy it live? This type of exclusionary approach also raises issues for many people within the community. As highlighted by a user in the thread, many queer people don’t necessarily have any characteristics that would be considered stereotypically queer and because of this often feel judged when entering LGBTQ spaces. I am a gay man, yet I doubt most would know unless it was actively brought up, so if the original poster saw me at the show would they have tried to exclude me? This brings me to a concern I often have as a member of the LGBTQ community; how do we mitigate the damage that making identity so salient creates. By creating and reinforcing these categories with labels and strong associated characteristics, it inevitably strengthens in-group, out-group mechanics which often encourages prejudice. This means we must balance providing safe spaces for queer people with not encouraging and entrenching prejudice, a harder task than one might imagine. What are your thoughts? I would be especially interested in hearing from Max Siegel and Margi Marchetti (they/them)

This week, as we kick off the celebration of #PrideMonth, Luminate honors the LGBTQ+ music makers whose unwavering dedication to their craft continues to shape the musical landscape and empower queer voices. Year over year, we see queer representation in the music industry increasing. In 2021, there were 35 solo artists ranked in the Top 1,000 who self-identified as LGBTQ+; so far in 2024, that number has increased to 39. Consumption of these artists similarly increased, from 17.9M units in 2021 to 20.8M units in 2023. At the genre level, Pop, R&B/Hip-Hop and Rock lead the way in queer representation, with the majority of these queer artists performing in one of those genres. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGEb6E3i

How can we shift BIPOC queer representation in music? In an industry that prides itself on self-expression and freedom of creativity, it's time we acknowledge the marginalized voices and talents that often go unheard. While the music industry has taken steps towards inclusivity, we can't continue to turn a blind eye to the hardships faced by queer artists, especially those who identify as Black and transgender. We need to invest in mentorship programs designed specifically for supporting queer artists, increase representation in media, curate safe creative environments that promote diversity, and provide harm reduction & inclusion strategies to music business execs to ensure the success and protection of all talent, regardless of how they identify. ✊🏾✨ #dei #musicindustry #transawareness #representationmatters #musicindustry #lgbtq #talentmanagement #recordingartist

Did you know, that for every £1 male artists make for the sale of their art - womxn artists earn 50p for the sale of theirs? Yep. This is sexism in action. And it's truly despicable. So what can we do to change this *HUGE* gender gap? 💰 Consciously buy art from womxn + non-binary artists 💰 Demand change from auction houses: Christie's + Sotheby's - do better 💰 Hire marginalised artists - to create murals, illustrations, merch + more 💰 Never ask artists to work for free (it's exploitative and just sh*tty) 💰 Support these artists online! Like, share + comment on their posts (Statistic from Helen Gorrill's book, "Women Can't Paint") --- p.s what other ways would you add, to support womxn, non-binary and marginalised artists? #art #gender #sexism

🚨 55% of LGBTQ+ musicians report not being able to make a sustainable income as a barrier to their music careers 29% of LGBTQ+ musicians said they don’t earn enough money to support themselves or their family And there's a pay gap for trans musicians of almost £10k That's why we've teamed up with Come Play With Me to put together 12 recommendations for government and industry to make the music industry more inclusive for LGBTQ+ musicians They cover: 🟡 Funding and investment 🟡 Research and education – including investment in training and networking 🟡 Attitude and accountability Learn more 🔗 https://bit.ly/4bWFLMM #MusiciansCensus2023 #WeAreTheMU

Do you think they are gay couple or father and son? I instantly saw a queer couple. Here’s why….The imagery has subtle cultural nuance that instantly resonated with my lived experience and made me smile and connect with Rightmove The Queer nuance I see: 🏳️🌈 👬Two men sharing an emotional moment. ❤️The contact and one’s man’s gaze said their was a romantic connection. 👬Casting of two different ‘types’ of men (not both tall and muscly) felt far more realistic to how I see gay couples. 🌊The seaside town said ‘Brighton’ to me, an area I know and love as more inclusive and safe for my community to share a moment like this in such an open space. 🏠The rooftop reminded me of the homes of my friends who decided against having kids! Nuance and lived experience can be different for everyone, as we are simply all different. The casting isn’t your stereotypical gay couple, which is positive, and with that I can see how they could be seen by some as a well connected father and son. Does it matter either way? In this instance I don’t think so, the beauty of OOH, of art, and of representation is that it connects to a large audience and can show relatable moments like this for more than just one community. What do you see? The Diversity Standards Collective JCDecaux UK #representation #lgbtrepresentation #lgbtqia #queer #gaycouple #advertising #representationmatters #ooh

Hats off to Maria, Alex, Matt and the MediaTracks Music team for hosting the (first ever?!) event celebrating LGBTQ+ identity in production music: ‘Pride in Sync’. To put those two words together and make an event out of it is something truly special and pioneering. Production music is faceless NO LONGER!! Here’s 3 points from the panel that resonated: 🌈 Sometimes LGBTQ+ people are in the room but they don’t find each other. Visibility unlocks community and helps you find your people. But obvs, people need to feel safe before they can be visible. 🌈 “I do these gigs but I don’t play these songs.” Lack of safety creates a barrier for emerging talent. Queer creators like having a space which keeps their identity in mind. 🌈 Allyship is so important: “I don’t understand, but I’m here.” Inclusion is everyone’s business. As an organisation, don’t pretend you know every experience about every people. Partner with organisations that know instead. It makes you feel incredible gratitude to be alive at a time when we can be present at an event like that and celebrate together. That’s thanks to the bravery and persistence of everyone who’s come before us. And just a tip, Maria’s part of the new generation. 😉 Very well spoken on that panel! Maria and MediaTracks have lit the flame, we’re all responsible for stoking the fire and continuing this conversation now.

As a queer visual artist, I've always believed in the transformative power of art to reflect, challenge, and celebrate the diverse experiences within our community. While depictions of nude figures and eroticism have their place, it's crucial to push boundaries and delve deeper into the rich tapestry of queer identities and experiences. Creating queer art that goes beyond the surface is not just about aesthetics; it's about amplifying voices, validating experiences, and fostering understanding and empathy. Here's why it's important to explore themes beyond the erotic: Representation Matters: Queer art has the potential to provide representation for individuals whose stories are often marginalized or erased. By depicting a wide range of experiences, identities, and relationships, we can ensure that every member of our community feels seen and validated. Challenge Stereotypes: While erotic art has its place, relying solely on this portrayal perpetuates stereotypes about queer individuals as inherently sexual or promiscuous. By exploring diverse themes and narratives, we can challenge these stereotypes and present a more nuanced understanding of queer identity. Cultural Commentary: Art has always been a powerful tool for social commentary and change. By addressing issues such as discrimination, intersectionality, mental health, and self-discovery within our work, we can spark important conversations and contribute to the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. Celebrating Complexity: Queer experiences are multifaceted and complex, encompassing joy, pain, resilience, and everything in between. By embracing this complexity in our art, we honor the richness of our community and acknowledge the diverse journeys that each individual undertakes. Building Connection: Art has the ability to connect people across boundaries of language, culture, and experience. By creating queer art that resonates on a deeper level, we can foster a sense of connection and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Let's continue to push the boundaries of queer art, embracing diversity and authenticity in all its forms. Together, we can create a world where every queer individual feels seen, heard, and celebrated. #QueerArt #DiversityandInclusion #LGBTQ+

“Who is a LGBTQ+ music industry professional that inspires you?” This was a question on the application to join Out Jamz for the Spring/Summer 2024. We asked folks to let us know if there was any music industry professional that was LGBTQ+ that they looked up to whether it was a producer, A&R, etc. The number one answer we got was the following: “I don’t know anyone.” or simply left it blank. If this doesn’t show how crucial LGBTQ+ representation is in the music industry right now than I don’t know what is. We are progressing slowly especially as we see more LGBTQ+ artists hit the mainstream but there are many LGBTQ+ folks behind the scenes working to make it all happen who don’t recieve the light of day. This is exactly why Out Jamz is here, to amplify those voices and to give aspiring LGBTQ+ folks people that they can feel safe to connect with and look up to. Its time for more change and to keep working hard. #musicindustry #lgbtq #musicbusiness #musicindustryprofessional #dei