LGBT+ Musicians

LGBT+ musicians may face particular issues because of their sexuality or gender. Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, being asked to conceal their sexuality or gender, difficultly touring in countries that are hostile to or that criminalise LGBT+ people and lack of representation are issues that LGBT+ musicians may face.

Guidance & resources

Working abroad

Travelling as a LGBT+ musician

What LGBT+ musicians need to consider and look out for before travelling to certain countries.

Orchestras & theatre

Screened auditions

A method to promote fairer opportunities for musicians from all backgrounds to earn a position in an orchestra.

Mentoring opportunities

Look out for mentoring opportunities the MU provides with partner organisations.

Support for LGBT+ people

Access help if you encounter hate crime, domestic abuse, conversion therapy and other abuse.

Stonewall

Resources for BAME and POC LGBTQ+ Communities

LGBT+ news & features

Explore the updates for LGBT+ music artists.

Hungary Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Banning Pride Events

Hungary has passed a new anti-LGBTQ+ law that bans Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify those attending the festivities.

Published: 19 March 2025

Rapper Nate Ethan wearing a white sweatshirt, blue jeans and a white baseball cap.

Nate Ethan for LGBT+ History Month: "We Can Create a Music World that Truly Represents Everyone"

Nate Ethan Watson is a trailblazing artist and advocate, recognised by the BBC as the UK’s first transgender rapper. In this guest blog, he shares his experiences navigating the music industry and reflects on how it can be reshaped for the better.

Published: 24 February 2025

Utako Toyama singing and playing piano to a crowd, in front of a red curtain and flowers.

Utako Toyama for LGBT+ History Month: “Sharing Music from an LGBT+ Perspective Allows Others to Connect”

Utako is a multi-award-winning composer and MU member who promotes diversity, equality, and world peace through her music. In this guest blog, she discusses why visibility and allyship is important not just in the music industry, but for society as a whole.

Published: 17 February 2025

Musician Kat Browning holding a clarinet and smiling.

Katmuss for LGBT+ History Month: “The Community I Didn’t Know I Craved”

Katmuss, the resident bass clarinettist for Folk Clarinet Quartet, The Tradinettes, shares their experience of dealing with mental health issues and rediscovering a sense of community through the MU and its LGBT+ network.

Published: 10 February 2025

ALIA for LGBT+ History Month: Representing Unity Within Diversity

In this blog for LGBT+ History Month, ALIA shares their experience as a queer independent musician and how the MU has supported their journey.

Published: 01 February 2025

CIISA Launches Open Consultation of Standards for Creative Industries

The MU is encouraging all members to take part in the consultation (which runs until 27 January), to help set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected across the UK’s creative industries, to enable safe and inclusive working environments.

Published: 02 December 2024

MU Celebrates Transgender Awareness Week 2024

Transgender Awareness Week takes place 13 - 19 November and is a one-week celebration leading up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance. To mark this we’ve put together a guide where you can check out MU resources, revisit related stories from the past year, and view upcoming events.

Published: 13 November 2024

Representing and advocating on behalf of LGBT+ musicians

Get involved with the MU's work on lobbying for an LGBT+ inclusive education, the end of abuses to LGBT+ people internationally, and a fair and equal representation.

Join our LGBT+ Member Network

Our network is a space where people with shared identities can connect, network and make positive change across the MU and the music industry. The network ensures that the voices of LGBT+ members are heard, and that opportunities for activism and leadership are created.

Join our network if you identify as LGBT+.

Join the LGBT+ Network

Representing and advocating on behalf of LGBT+ musicians

Allyship

Member's Voice

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

Musician, writer, activist CN Lester discusses how you can better support your trans colleagues in the arts.

TUC

How to be a good trans ally at work

Stonewall

10 ways to step up as an ally to non-binary people

TUC

How to support non-binary workers

You don’t need any special skills to support trans colleagues
CN LesterMulti-genre musician, writer, activist

At the MU we lobby on an LGBT+ inclusive music education, the end of abuses to LGBT+ people internationally and a fair and equal representation
John ShortellMU Head of Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion

Art without progression and adaptation stagnates and dies
Patricia YatesProfessional Femme Tenor (she/her)

With MU membership on my side I’m beyond excited for the future
Henry NewburyPride's Got Talent Music 2019 Winner

LGBT+ Musicians