Posts tagged with "LGBTQIA+ community"

Addison Grace – “I Wanna Be A Boy”

Leave a reply

Musician and TikTok phenomenon Addison Grace released their single, “I Wanna Be A Boy,” that discusses their own intimate tour with gender. Throughout writing the song and exploring what gender truly meant to them, Addison was able to discover their pronouns – he/they – and come out as nonbinary. Addison sings, “I guess I wanna be a boy,” coming full terms with this sincere and profound message.

Listen to “I Wanna Be A Boy” HERE.

Addison pondered with never releasing the song past his own social media, but after posting it online and observing the feedback, he knew that it deserved an appropriate debut. While speaking with B Drop, Addison states, “I initially started writing it when I was questioning a lot of things about myself. I’m very open with how I identify online and I’ve always openly been a queer creator, queer musician, and at that time I was really not understanding how I identified with my gender and how I felt about it, and so it started off as a song about gender roles and how I was jealous of guys and how they got to have certain things I couldn’t have. With time, I realized it was very much me explaining — in song form — that I wasn’t a girl and that I was nonbinary instead.

“A lot of people ended up relating to the song. I had trans men relating to it saying “I’ve always felt like that.” I’ve had trans women being like “I used to deny I was a woman and I wanted to be a boy; I wanted to be “normal” — quote, unquote. I even had my friends who were born female and identify as female feel that way because they felt they were a tomboy and never fit in with the “girlie girls” so to speak.” He continues, “Even though, for me, it’s a song about gender identity and finding myself in that way, I think really at the core — it becomes a song about not understanding yourself and wishing so desperately that you could and it’s a very vulnerable song for that reason.”

The cover art for the piece showcases several images of Addison while they were growing up, at different time periods. He talks about this, saying, “I feel like a lot of my work recently has been about growing up and about those awkward moments in your life, so for this song, I wanted it to be a collage of my face growing up. I didn’t want it to be something someone had drawn. I wanted it to be realistic so I searched through a bunch of scrapbooks and I found pictures of two-year old me, 10-year old me, 15-year old me and a picture of me from last year and we ended up crafting it all together because I’ve always loved the idea of putting photos together and it makes something else. I wanted to put stickers and all that because when you’re finding yourself, it feels like these weird puzzle that don’t fit quite right, so I wanted it to look slightly off… I really love it and it feels really nostalgic to me.”

The journey of coming out as non-binary for Addison was a difficult road and is something that he aims to inspire others with. They strive to empower individuals with the power to live their own lives as genuinely as possible. Through sharing his own journey, Addison nurtures the idea that gender identity is a voyage that they went on and hope that others can embark on as well.

More about Addison Grace

With an outstanding 3.8 million followers on TikTok, almost 400k followers on Instagram and close to 200k YouTube subscribers, Addison Grace become an online sensation through hard work and dedication. He began his journey online with an iPhone 6 and a dream, often encouraging his own audiences to follow their dreams despite their situations. Addison stands as waterproof that anyone can become an artist if they’re dedicated to the craft, stating, “You’re enough and what you’re doing is enough.”

As an activist for the LGBTQIA+ community, upcoming artists and mental health, Addison is known for disclosing his own individual experiences living with ADHD. He makes sure to communicate to his fanbases that “normal” is a made-up concept, and that the truth is very real. They transmit the importance of the truth with “I Wanna Be A Boy,” which you can stream everywhere now.

Euphoria.LGBT Unveils A New Campaign

Leave a reply

Euphoria.LGBT unveils a new campaign inspired by the Pronouns for Transgender Awareness Week

Euphoria.LGBT, Inc. is launching a new tagline, “Become who you are,” intending to synthesize the message from the transgender community to the world. The quest of the transgender community to recognize, accept, and embrace their true identity is an inspiration for each of us to dare to become who we are. This message is intrinsic to the transgender community but touches a much wider audience, from LGBTQIA+ people to all others who walk this earth. Because of miseducation and external pressure, many are scared to express who they truly are and spend their life misaligned with their soul. “Become who you are” is an invitation for everyone to live with honesty, acceptance, and courage.

To endorse this inclusive brand message, Euphoria’s first campaign is inspired by the Pronouns. It features first names from different cultures. Inside each of these names is highlighted one Pronoun. Sometimes the pronoun appears to be aligned with the original gender of the name and sometimes misaligned with it. The campaign is an invitation to respect the transgender community and everyone’s unique ownership of identity. Gender transition often starts with a pronoun and be thought of as the opening words to a story of self-acceptance and becoming oneself.

Euphoria.LGBT is a tech ecosystem for the transgender community to alleviate the great pains associated with gender transition. Euphoria’s platform includes Solace, Bliss, Catharsis, Windfall, Clarity, and Devotion. Each app offers a pragmatic solution to a specific facet of the odyssey that is transition and provides critical support and nurtures the trans souls in their courageous journey.

The transgender community is estimated to be between 2 and 6 million souls across the United States, with the global population estimated to be close to 160 million. This community is often misunderstood and stigmatized because of a lack of education in our society.

Robbi Katherine, Euphoria.LGBT Founder: “Pronouns are foundational elements of communication for every human being. For the transgender community, pronouns offer an acknowledgment of one’s truest self. These words are often the first and perhaps the most enduring reflection of the transgender soul. Pronouns are more than just words; they are portraits.”

Planningtorock – Gay Dreams Do Come True

Leave a reply

Acclaimed artist, singer-songwriter, producer, composer, director, and DJ Planningtorock, aka Jam Rahouja Rostron, is releasing the video to their latest release “Gay Dreams Do Come True.” The euphoric Pride anthem’s video was created as a collaboration with Butt Studios (Tame Impala, Doja Cat) and Greedy Goods (Lava La Rue). The visual is an immersive, tripped out utopian fantasy 3D world that perfectly complements the track. It’s a little Technotronic, a little Deee-lite, and ultimately an ode to romance and queer celebration, bringing the conversation around gender fluidity into the animation space.

About the video, Planningtorock said they “had so much fun making this video for Gay Dreams Do Come True”. I really wanted to celebrate and share the happiness I’m feeling right now with my baby and wife Riinu. It’s also the first time I’ve worked with a director as I usually direct my own videos and George was absolutely amazing and totally got my vision and the whole shoot was such a laugh from start to finish. Aline, who was the Director of Photography, is also an amazing queer cinematographer and a total pleasure to work with.”
The track, released in June, is the first from their new EP, Gay Dreams Do Come True. The project is set for release on October 29, 2021 through their new label, Human Level, via PIAS. Comprised of three celebratory, joyful, sweet house tracks, Gay Dreams Do Come True is Planningtorock’s aural mission to own their queer happiness, and to share that joy with anyone who wants to listen.

In celebration of the video’s release, Planningtorock will be joined with director Greedy Goons and Director of Photography Aline Belfort for an Instagram livestream discussing the visual at 9AM ET / 2PM UK on Thursday August 19th.

For the uninitiated: Planningtorock has been a disruptive voice in dance music for the last fifteen years. Initially signing with DFA via James Murphy himself, in addition to subsequently opening for LCD Soundsystem in America, Planningtorock has released four acclaimed studio albums thus far, using the personal as political on each record while playing with gender in their costumes and photos for each release. These albums, along with early collaborations with subversive innovators like The Knife and Peaches, established Planningtorock as a recognised force in politicised dance music that queers sound and explores ideas around gender, queerness, sexuality, and desire.

Planningtorock has also become a highly sought-after DJ and remixer, transforming songs with their remixes of tracks by Christine and The Queens, Robyn, Romy of The xx, and many more. Following an opening slot as a DJ for Robyn in 2019, the multitalented producer teamed up with Chanel’s sound director Michel Gaubert in 2020. Their Planningtochanel EP soundtracked the Parisian label’s Autumn/Winter 2020 show, and was the first work created in Jam’s new home city of Tallinn, Estonia. It’s also here that Planningtorock created their transformative new EP, Gay Dreams Do Come True.
Jam uprooted to the Estonian capital: a beautiful, gentle-paced city on the Baltic coast, after spending two decades in Berlin.

Already feeling restless and ready for a change, everything fell into place when the musician met their partner, Riinu, through mutual friends in Helsinki; soon, Jam relocated to Riinu’s home city full-time. Last September the couple married. LGBTQ+ marriage isn’t legal in Estonia, so the ceremony took place at the city’s British Embassy. In theory, the country recognises marriages which took place abroad. In reality, they have been struggling to get their partnership acknowledged in their home country while under a right-wing coalition government. With the prime minister now ousted over an alleged corruption scandal, Estonia is going through a time of great political upheaval. Distant hope of a more progressive government is on the horizon and Gay Dreams Do Come True represents Planningtorock’s own personal exploration of queer love.

A loud, proud, unabashed celebration, Planningtorock’s new EP Gay Dreams Do Come True stands in opposition to the tragic queer narratives which can sometimes dominate the mainstream. Indeed, Jam set out to make a record which basks in the all-consuming joy of queer love instead, and the sense of belonging, intimacy, and safety that comes with it.
Planningtorock will be playing two very special shows this fall to celebrate the EP’s release.

“Planningtorock Presents Gay Dreams Do Come True” is a live show and a party all in one to celebrate music and queer stories. Planningtorock will be performing their new ep plus classic PTR songs interwoven with them Djing their favorite tracks and influences. Invited guests and artist friends will join Planningtorock on stage to perform.

The Importance of One Percent

Leave a reply

By: Yuval David

At the start of Pride Month I am feeling proud and challenged. Proud of the advocacy I do along with other LGBTQ individuals and organizations who are engaged and active in the fight and telling their stories, engaging with their elected officials and with their families and communities.

A record number of adults in the US identify as LGBTQ. This increase is propelled by the successes of advocacy and activism. A 2020 survey by Gallup made a more than 1% jump from the last poll in 2017. According to this poll, 5.6% of Americans openly identify as LGBTQ. 86.7% of Americans identify as heterosexual or straight. 7.6% do not answer the question. And, 5% had a “no opinion” response.

Being counted matters. 18 million adults identify as LGBTQ. This reflects the greater acceptance in our society and the ability for people to more comfortably express themselves.

For the first time, Gallup more specifically focused on sexual orientation, which also created more awareness of identity. In the past, they only had a yes or no option. But, this poll informed that among adults, 54.6% identify as bisexual, 24.5% identify as gay, 11.7% identify as lesbian, and 11.3% identify as transgender.

Among the younger adults, from ages 18 to 23, 15.9% identify as LGBTQ. 72% of them identify as bisexual.

What is the takeaway from this? Advocacy matters. LGBTQ youth are growing up in a more accepting reality. The older generations of activists have paved the way for the younger generations to have the freedoms and acceptance they have today.

A larger percent of the older generations dealt with more family rejection, job losses, loneliness, depression, and even knowing that LGBTQ identity and activity could be a punishable offense. A larger percent of the younger generations have not experienced the same level of needing to be in the closet.

This does not mean that all people, especially younger more impressionable LGBTQ people, are impervious to harsh anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, actions, and legislation. Prejudice against LGBTQ people is still being taught and discussed openly.

We especially see this from religious communities and leaders who use religion as an excuse to discriminate. For example, the Catholic Church announced again that homosexuals are “objectively disordered.”

The Equality Act is a bill in Congress, that, if passed would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. But, its failing is that is still provides a religious exemption for those who feel that accepting LGBTQ people is against their religious beliefs.

So, I and my other partners in advocacy are still challenged. The LGBTQ Community is also the LGBTQ Movement. We are striving to empower people to publicly claim their identity, to authentically express who they are.

The Gallup poll numbers provide context and give a perspective to the advancement of the LGBTQ Movement.

I fell in love with my husband before we legally could get married. We celebrated together with countless supporters of marriage equality when the Supreme Court passed their legislation. We understood and appreciated the advancement of the movement and our successes that allowed us to express our love and bond in matrimony. We were recognized in Holy Matrimony in my Jewish faith, but not in my husband’s Catholic faith.

So, yes, I am proud, but I am also challenged. We have a long way to go.

To learn more about Yuval Davis, follow him on Instagram and Facebook, or view his imdb profile or Youtube page.

Ten Reasons Brands Should Celebrate Pride Month

Leave a reply

By: Skyler Johnson

As Pride Month approaches, it’s expected that we’ll see a number of pride-related products pop up. There are people that think brands celebrating Pride Month is “tacky” or “preachy.” However, it’s still important for brands to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community, even if it’s just in the month of June. Here are a few reasons why:

10. Celebration of Pride Month Wasn’t As Good In 2020

Because of the Black Lives Matter Protests and Covid-19, brands didn’t celebrate Pride Month in 2020 the way they had in previous years. While they could have done both, a lot of companies didn’t. So, it’s extra important this year for brands to show that they still care about LGBTQIA+ individuals through celebrating Pride Month extra hard.

9. Generates Profit for Brands

Statistically, being in support of the LGBTQIA+ community has been shown to increase company sales. People will have more respect for those companies, and will be more likely to purchase their products.

8. Supports LGBTQIA+ People for No Cost

While brands may have to change the packaging, that’s all they need to do to support Pride Month. There’s no real loss that can be had towards brands celebrating Pride Month, except for a few people thinking that it’s “preachy.”

7. Shows the Power of Brands

Brands are more powerful than you might think. After all, we’re constantly seeing them, and they are always affecting our lives, even if we don’t realize it. Everything we do– from brushing our teeth to putting on clothes–has us interacting with brands. And the actions of brands do affect us. Think about the uproar that Discord received over changing their logo. People got legitimately upset over the actions of a corporation. So people will be affected by brands that are supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and may change a negative stance if their favorite brand supports it.

6. Recognizes the History of Hate Towards LGBTQIA+ People in the U.S.

It’s sickening how much hatred has been directed towards people just trying to live their lives. For a long time, there were laws that prohibited homosexuality and being trans was virtually impossible. 2015 was the year when gay marriage was declared legal, and that was only six years ago. Because of the long struggle with homophobia and transphobia, it’s important to recognize these people, and show them we care through the brands we as Americans deem as important.

5. Decreases Homophobia and Transphobia in the World

Although Americans are more accepting of LGBTQIA+ individuals compared to other countries (and even we’re not perfect), there are other countries that are much worse. A lot of countries still have laws that prohibit gay and trans individuals from being themselves. Given the international nature of these brands, they can help change the mindsets of people in countries that are much less accepting than the U.S.

4. Encourages Workplace Diversity

If members of the LGBTQIA+ community see that companies support them, they’ll be more likely to apply for jobs within the company. Diversity in the workplace has been shown to increase profit margins.

3. Raises Awareness

I wouldn’t know about Marsha P. Johnson if they weren’t honored by Google during Pride Month. Brands can give people information on important people in the LGBT community, and makes people aware of history that would otherwise be forgotten. I was never taught about the Stonewall Riots in school, but Google allowed me to find information on this important piece of LGBTQIA+ history.

2. Supports LGBTQIA+ Individuals

LGBTQIA+ artists and creators have been historically marginalized due to their identity. There was a time, not long ago, when your career would end as a result of coming out. Now that there are more and more creatives able to have careers despite, or even because of, their identity. Brands should support those individuals via including them in their ad campaigns or creating a product inspired by them. Smirnoff’s partnership with drag queen Alyssa Edwards is a great example.

1. Gives Brands a Reason to Donate to Show they Care

A lot of brands have donated part of their proceeds to charity. LGBTQIA+ people are thus given the resources they need to survive and thrive.

Reebok × House of Ninja – Fierceness Isn’t Born. It’s Made

Leave a reply

Reebok and Iconic Ballroom ‘House of Ninja’ Show That “Fierceness Isn’t Born. It’s Made” to Celebrate Pride 2021

Today, Reebok releases their 2021 Pride campaign film, “Fierceness Isn’t Born. It’s Made,” starring Iconic Ballroom House of Ninja in tandem with the launch of this year’s All Types of Love Pride collection. The collection was designed by Reebok’s LGBTQIA+ employee community, Colorful Soles, who partnered with House of Ninja to amplify the collection through their own legendary ballroom perspective and history.

With this year’s collection, Colorful Soles wanted to pay homage to ballroom culture and what it has brought to not only the LGBTQIA+ community, but humanity on a global scale. The culture has inspired so many trends of colloquialisms, fashion, art, music, and most importantly advocacy, which is why Willi Ninja created House of Ninja in the 1980’s to be a safe-house for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In the campaign film, House of Ninja’s Archie Burnett, Javier Madrid, Aisha Murray, and Elizabeth Rivera illustrate the craft of movement that makes up ballroom culture which continues to be a safe haven for many of the LGBTQIA+ community. “It is easy to walk on the dark side, you have to fight for the light. And that takes work. Fierceness isn’t born, it’s made,” said Archie Burnett.

This unisex sized collection includes Pride flag inspired design details as well as a Progress Pride Flag product tag. Each of the shoes in the range includes the All Types of Love manifesto on the tongue or sock liner. The footwear collection features: Classic Leather ($85), Club-C ($85), InstaPump Fury OG ($170), Zig Kinetica II ($120), Nano X1 ($130), and Floatride Energy 3.0 ($100). The Pride flag inspired apparel collection includes: Oversized Tee with reactive UV color changing ink ($35), Crop workout Tank ($35), Bike shorts ($40), and Hoodie ($55) all featuring the Progress Pride Flag and All Types of Love manifesto on the product label.

As part of its ongoing mission to create an inclusive community of acceptance, Reebok continues to support the LGBTQIA+ community both internally and externally and recognizes that it must start with the youth. So, in addition to a full unisex adult size range, this year’s collection also includes unisex kids Pride Classic Leather for two size ranges: Children ($55) and Infant ($40)!

And, to honor, uplift, and affirm the TGNCI community, Reebok is donating $75,000 to the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, an organization working to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.

The full collection is now available to purchase on Reebok’s website.

About House of Ninja:

House of Ninja is a collective of movement artists known for their stellar contributions to the creation of Vogue Dance. The collective was created in the 1980s by Willi Ninja as a safe-house for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To see more from House of Ninja follow on Instagram IconicHouseOfNinja.

About Reebok:

Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Boston, MA, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of fitness and lifestyle footwear, apparel and equipment. An American-inspired global brand, Reebok is a pioneer in the sporting goods industry with a rich and storied fitness heritage. Reebok develops products, technologies and programming that enable movement so people can fulfill their potential. Reebok connects with the fitness consumer wherever they are and however they choose to stay fit – whether it’s functional training, running, combat training, walking, dance, yoga or aerobics. Reebok Classics leverages the brand’s fitness heritage and represents the roots of the brand in the sports lifestyle market. For more information, visit Reebok at their website, or, for the latest news, visit here.

About Sylvia Rivera Law Project:

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, we seek to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people and people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. We believe that in order to create meaningful political participation and leadership, we must have access to basic means of survival and safety from violence.