Global Pride Day 2021
To mark global pride day we chatted with artists and music industry professionals from across Scotland about what Pride means to them, work that the Scottish music industry can do to be more inclusive and to highlight some of the great organisations that support the LGBTQIA+ community.
We spoke with Scout, Lou Rogers, Katie Guthrie, Charlie (Walt Disco) and Erin Hephzibah (Kodak Ghosts).
Katie Guthrie (Underground Sounds)
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride to me is all about celebrating what makes you, you and knowing that you are free to be whoever you want to be. During Pride month there is a real celebration of community and a reminder of how resilient we have been throughout history which makes me proud of how far society has come in acceptance.
What would you like to see the Scottish Music Industry do moving forward to ensure inclusivity?
I would love to see more LGBTQIA+ people represented across the board whether that is artists or people behind the scenes, to make sure that there is a space for these people and that they are included. To showcase LGBTQIA+ individuals all year round, not just during pride month.
What LGBTQIA+ charity would you like to spotlight and why?
Stonewall Scotland. They are really active in working with young LGBTQIA+ people by championing inclusion for all across schools and colleges, I had found them to be a useful resource growing up. They have a great website packed with all sorts of resources from coming out to where to find services in your local area.
Lou Rogers (Classy Lassy)
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride means a month for remembrance and appreciation for the rich LGBTQ history, I usually spend a lot of the month binging LGBTQ series’ and documentaries.
What would you like to see the Scottish Music Industry do moving forward to ensure inclusivity?
The last couple of years have been great in terms of inclusivity in the Scottish and UK scene! As music consumers and promoters we should continue to shine the spotlight and scream about amazing queer artists all year round!
What LGBTQIA+ charity would you like to spotlight and why?
Pink Saltire is an amazing Fife based charity and collective who as well as supporting the launch of Fifes first pride run amazing outreach projects for young LGBTQ+ people!
SCOUT
What does pride mean to you?
For me, pride is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and to show young people in particular that they matter and that being LGBT+ isn’t a barrier to what they want to do. I think it’s also important to be visible for those who can’t be, and to reflect on how we can make our communities safer and more inclusive places.
What would you like to see the Scottish Music Industry do moving forward to ensure inclusivity?
To achieve inclusivity, we obviously need to have more diversity in the music industry, both on the stage and off. I think that when people can see themselves reflected in an industry, they’ll be able to understand that these careers are available to them too. I also think that it will be great when we have so much music being made, produced, distributed, promoted etc. by LGBT+ people that we stop falling into the trap of thinking that LGBT+ artists all belong to one genre, and appreciate that LGBT+ people have been around forever, making every type of music there is.
What charity would you like to spotlight and why?
I’d like to spotlight a brilliant local charity called the Small Trans Library. They operate in Glasgow and in Dublin, and as well as being a free library with a huge catalogue of LGBT+ books, since COVID-19, they’ve also been organising a grocery fund for trans people in Scotland who are struggling financially. They run loads of great events and you can find out more about them, donate to their fund, or borrow a book, on their website: www.smalltranslibrary.org.
Charlie (Walt Disco)
What does pride mean to you?
Hiya I’m Charlie from Walt Disco! Pride is a huge reminder for everyone to actively uplift, donate and support their peers who are in the LGBTQIA+ community. Pride should be 24/7 365 days a year! It’s a celebration and a protest I think. I can’t thank my peers enough for helping me into the person I am today.
What would you like to see the Scottish Music Industry do moving forward to ensure inclusivity?
I think the Scottish music scene should have more events celebrating oppressed minorities as a way to create safe spaces. For example, having events celebrating Black Trans people, queer Scottish artists and Scottish female talent !!!
What charity would you like to spotlight and why?
It’s horrible that so many trans people have to become bankrupt to live in their authentic self. Please donate to your peers go fund me pages for transitioning. Any donation goes so far. Here are some of our peers current go fund me pages. Keep an eye out for anyone that you know transitioning and donate anything you can ! Lots of love x
Erin Hephzibah (Kodak Ghosts)
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride is about celebrating who we are and celebrating the courageous individuals that allow me (and so many others) the rights and the acceptance we have today. Without people like Marsha P. Johnson we wouldn’t be where we are now and we have to remember these amazing people!
What would you like to see the Scottish Music Industry do moving forward to ensure inclusivity?
I think representation is important. Just having non binary individuals (like Bimini Bon Boulash from DRUK 2) in the entertainment industry helps so many others understand themselves and helps spread acceptance. Moving forward I would just like to see other musicians being themselves (whatever that may be) that is most inspiring to myself and helped me find my feet as a queer person.
What LGBTQIA+ charity would you like to spotlight and why?
I would like to spotlight Stonewall Scotland - I think they do amazing work and their continued fight for LGBTQ+ rights is essential. Since founding in 1989 they have helped better queer peoples lives - both on a national scale and in small towns/cities.