Unabashedly Prideful: Steven Braines Highlights His Authenticity
In a world where same-sex activity is criminalised in 64 countries, with nine of them punishing it by death, the need for support and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community is more crucial than ever. One such resource is GLAAD (https://www.glaad.org/), an organisation dedicated to learning about LGBTQIA+ issues and championing change.
Pride Month, marked annually, serves as a beacon of hope for those who cannot celebrate openly in their own countries. However, it is essential to remember that building equity and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community is an ongoing effort that requires everyone's participation.
Steven Braines, the CEO of The Weird & The Wonderful and HE.SHE.THEY, emphasises the importance of marking heritage moments like Pride Month. He suggests that brands, artists, promoters, and labels should go beyond symbolic gestures during Pride Month and engage in meaningful, ongoing actions.
One key strategy is partnering with LGBTQIA+ organisations. Collaborating with groups like Family Equality can help support events, advocacy, and resources that promote equality and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ people and families, ensuring continuous engagement rather than seasonal support.
Another strategy is offering inclusive programming and events. Developing and hosting programs that address specific community needs, such as health workshops, social meetups, and housing support, can create environments where LGBTQIA+ individuals can connect authentically and access resources beyond Pride Month.
Creating inclusive work environments is also crucial. Using inclusive language, respecting pronouns, degenderising uniforms, providing safe spaces, and encouraging open dialogue in workplaces and communities can support the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ individuals every day.
Avoiding superficial support, or "rainbow washing", is another important aspect. Committing to authentic inclusivity rather than temporary symbolic gestures like adding rainbow colours to branding during Pride helps avoid superficial support that fails to address real challenges faced by the community.
Making allyship visible year-round is also vital. Showing active support through ongoing initiatives, communications, fundraising, and public advocacy relevant to LGBTQIA+ rights and mental health, rather than limiting visibility to Pride Month alone, can make a significant difference.
In genres where there is the least LGBTQIA+ visibility and where homophobia and transphobia exist, it's even more vital for allies to speak up during Pride Month. Together, artists, promoters, labels, and ravers can create a welcoming and inclusive bass music scene for all.
The work of building a fully inclusive society is ongoing, and everyone has a role to play. Challenging oppression in all forms, including misogyny and racism, is an important part of supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Remembering those who have fought for LGBTQIA+ rights and honouring them during Pride Month is also essential. Resources like Stonewall Community Foundation (https://stonewallfoundation.org/) and Gendered Intelligence (https://genderedintelligence.co.uk) can provide support for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly trans and gender-diverse individuals.
Lastly, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is a year-round responsibility, not just during Pride Month. Brands should sign LGBTQIA+ artists and ensure year-round representation. They should book and promote more queer and trans artists, particularly BIPOC female and trans/nb talent, who are often booked least.
Let us all strive to make the world a place where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves.
Education and self-development are essential for personal growth, particularly for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who face challenges and discrimination in many parts of the world. Supporting organizations like GLAAD and Family Equality can provide valuable resources and advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting ongoing equity and inclusion. In addition, engaging in meaningful actions beyond symbolic gestures during Pride Month can make a significant difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Year-round support, including ongoing initiatives, fundraising, and public advocacy, is crucial in making the world a more inclusive place for all.
