Universal Music Group (UMG) is expanding its annual Music Is Universal LGBTQ+ Pride celebration for 2021. This year’s mission centers around belonging and intersectionality, striving to transcend tolerance and create a true sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community by amplifying the voices of UMG employees, artists and fans. The month-long celebration will feature a capsule collection benefiting GLAAD, artist listening parties, curated playlists and a mental health content series.
“Music is a unifying force in the world and has the power to uplift every voice, intersectionality and identity,” said UMG EVP & Chief People & Inclusion Officer Eric Hutcherson. “We believe that all people should feel that they belong, and our hope is that our Pride celebration gives that sense of belonging to all members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, as well as supports the organizations and people doing the critical work of advocating for the community - not just during Pride Month but throughout the year.”
“Music has always been a powerful medium for self-expression and belonging, helping members from different communities, including LGBTQ+ people, to connect with one another,” said Taylor Owen, Strategic Partnerships Officer at GLAAD. “Universal Music Group’s ‘Music is Universal’ Pride collection harnesses the power of music to uplift the community, artists, allies, fans and the music industry by amplifying necessary messages of visibility and acceptance this June.”
Launching June 1 and rolling out throughout the month, UMG has planned a lineup of initiatives that invite LGBTQ+ artists, fans and allies to join in celebrating and having important conversations.
MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL™ PRIDE COLLECTION: UMG and its Universal Music All Together Now Foundation partnered with GLAAD, Queer Candle Co. - a Brooklyn-based, queer-owned small business - and Social Goods to create a limited-edition MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL™ Pride collection supporting GLAAD. The capsule collection includes a Pride candle ($22) and companion long-sleeve tee ($50), as well as a sticker($5) with 25% of the proceeds benefiting GLAAD. The capsule collection is available for purchase at Social Goods.
LISTENING PARTY & PLAYLISTS: A series of Pride listening parties throughout the month of June will be hosted by UMG LGBTQ+ artists and allies. UMG and artists will create playlists showcasing the LGBTQ+ artists and allies across their global network of labels.
ROADMAP TO LGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH: In partnership with The Mental Health Coalition (MHC), UMG will create content that educates and de-stigmatizes conversations around LGBTQ+ mental health and connect audiences to mental health resources from organizations including The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention(AFSP); Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA); Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA); The Family Acceptance Project; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); The National Council for Mental Wellbeing; National Eating Disorders Association(NEDA); Trans Lifeline; The Trevor Project; Vibrant Emotional Health; and Well Being Trust.
MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL INSTAGRAM FILTERS: UMG will be unveiling Music Is Universal Pride Instagram filters for artists and fans to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate Pride 2021.
For more details and information on new events throughout the month, join the Music Is Universal Pride campaign HERE.
