Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

IDAHOBIT was created to raise awareness about the discrimination, violence and other forms of oppression LGBTQ+ people face around the world and to motivate people to take action.

Making the music industry truly inclusive

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl says: “Change is happening in the music industry, but there is still so much work to do.

“Creating a culture where people have the choice to come out if they want to is an essential step in making the music industry a truly representative and inclusive place to work. Creating that culture means working towards LGBTQ+ inclusion 365 days a year not just on IDAHOBIT or during Pride Month.

“The MU is truly proud of our LGBTQ+ members and LGBTQ+ communities globally who are making change.”

Government action is necessary

The 2022 Rainbow Europe Map and Index revealed that the UK has dropped down the annual ranking of LGBTQ+ rights across Europe for the third year running and is now in fourteenth place.

“It’s disappointing that the UK is regressing in its work towards achieving LGBTQ+ equality. As we approach the 50^th anniversary of the first Pride in the UK, we need active leadership from government to ensure all LGBTQ+ people can live and work in safety,” Naomi added.

Resources for LGBT+ members and allies

The union has a range of resource for MU members and allies, including workplace advice and blog posts by LGBT+ members about their experiences in the music industry.

Blog posts you may find useful include:

• Singer songwriter and producer Stephanie Collingwood on navigating the industry as a woman and LGBTQ+ artist
• DJ and artist S/HE on protecting trans kids, celebrating resilience, and learning to love ourselves
• Operatic tenor Patricia Yates on the work that needs to be done to make opera more accommodating of gender-diverse performances.

Workplace advice LGBT+ members may find useful include:

• Guidance on how orchestras can set up an inclusive recruitment and audition process
• Advice and resources on travelling as an LGBT+ musician
• An exploration of some of the issues that give rise to gender identity in a voice, and approaches open to trans*+ musicians in defining their own vocal identity.

Actions and resources that allies may find useful include:

• Musician, writer and activist CN Lester shares some of the dos and don’ts of working with trans colleagues in the arts
• The TUC looks at how you can better support non-binary workers as a Rep and ally
• Stonewall shares 7 ways you can be an LGBTQ+ ally at work.

The MU will be hosting its next LGBT+ Members Network meeting on 24 May 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, if you would like to join the meeting contact equalities@theMU.org

Find out more and join the network in our LGBT+ musicians hub.