Dance Magazine’s Post

The BBC has taken what believe to be an outrageously anti-LGBTQ decision. Ten years after the introduction of equal marriage in the UK, the BBC has decided that having gay couples on a game show might upset some viewers. As reported in an exclusive by the Daily Mail on Friday, gay couples will no longer appear in Strictly Come Dancing. This competition reportedly awards prizes of up to £100,000 and provides publicity and career boosts for those involved. Denying participation to same-sex couples is on its face clear discrimination and diminution of opportunity for lesbian, gay and queer potential competitors. I guess they could pretend to be straight but that requirement would in itself be discriminatory. · The policy has the effect of removing gay people from the screen and reducing their earnings potential. · It sets an unwelcome example in British public life to encourage discrimination on the basis that others be offended. · It sends a very negative message to any gay people who work at the BBC or who might wish to. · It places this year's competitors and the production team in an invidious position. I urge you to raise this concern with the BBC and equal rights organisations at your earliest convenience. Link to Daily Mail article below. It was also covered in The Telegraph I encourage anyone who cares about equal rights, especially at the BBC, to challenge this decision. #LBGT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #HR #Diversity #Equality

The recent MusicSA report on the Economic Contribution of the Music Industry to South Australia is an important piece of research highlighting the critical economic role that the music industry plays, while also acknowledging the significant challenges and transformations that the sector is experiencing.   We need to continue to ask questions about how we value and position arts within society, including but not limited to an economic lens, and how we can support creativity when it rarely provides a sustainable income. We also need to develop detailed understandings of the lived experiences of those who participate in the sector, and how opportunities might be experienced unevenly, ensuring that targeted support strategies reach the spaces they need to most.   CP3 Members Dr Rosie Roberts and Dr Jess Pacella are working on a current CP3 pilot project examining intersections between ageing and gender for musicians in the SA music industry, pointing to the ongoing devaluation of women’s roles in music. Experiences of sexual harassment, underrepresentation in gig line-ups, career stagnation due to caring responsibilities, gendered pay gaps, artist invisibility and a lack of creative control, were just some of the issues highlighted by interviewees. Read more about the project in this link: https://lnkd.in/eZHXawwm #MusicSA #musicians #ageing #gender #womeninmusic #livemusic #creative

Piano Com­petition Raises Questions About Gender Balance 👫 🎹 Chief executive of the Leeds International Piano Com­petition, has spoken to the Observer about some enlightening reasons why female pianists are not competing on equal footing with men in the industry. > 🙍♀️Female pianists represent less than a quarter (23%) of career pianists, although gender distribution in conservatoires is an equal split. >🏆Recent top international piano competitions saw only 18% female winners. >💽UK data reveals just 20% of piano recitals or concertos and 19% of recordings feature women. >🤔Out of 20 piano soloists at the last BBC Proms, only two were female. How to make a change?🙌🗣️ The Leeds International Piano Com­petition is addressing the issue by making changes to how they make programming decisions. 📈 >🎛️The Leeds International Piano Competition has introduced "blind" pre-selection rounds and bias training for jurors. >🎖️A new award at the Leeds competition celebrates outstanding performances of music by female composers. >🙋🏻♀️The BBC Proms' latest seasons have begun to spotlight female talent with a commitment to increasing diversity.

Rep. Chip Roy's recent speech, on the anniversary of 9/11, was not only inappropriate, but also dehumanizing to the trans community. To suggest that the presence of a transgender music teacher somehow makes America not worth defending is beyond offensive. It implies that my very existence as a trans person diminishes the value of our nation. This rhetoric is dangerous and contributes to the marginalization and discrimination that trans people face every day. Roy's speech conflates unrelated issues like immigration and LGBTQIA+ rights with national security in a way that scapegoats vulnerable communities. As a trans person, I am a human being who contributes positively to society, just like cisgender people do. The idea that my identity somehow weakens the fabric of our nation is not only false but ignorant. This kind of hateful speech from those in power emboldens discrimination and lead to real harm against trans people. It's infuriating to see such bigotry, especially on a day meant to unite Americans. Our diversity - including gender diversity - is a strength, not a weakness. Rep. Roy and other GOP members need to educate themselves about trans issues and to stop using us as political punching bags. We are your neighbors, coworkers, and fellow citizens. We deserve respect and equal treatment under the law, not to be held up as examples of why America isn't worth defending. I hope voters will remember these harmful words from Roy and many others, and hold them accountable for this divisive and dehumanizing speech. #TransLivesMatter #Humanity #VoteBlue #StopTheHate #Discrimination

The case of Zanette v Ottawa Chamber Music Society (Ottawa Chamberfest) was released a few months ago in Ontario, but I'm still quite fascinated by it. In this case, a volunteer filed a legal claim after he was asked by his employer to remove a rainbow flag/sticker from his volunteer name badge. He asserted the request was discriminatory on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression contrary to the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal accepted that the volunteer was a member of a Code protected group (the 2SLGBTQ2 community) and that the rainbow flag is a symbol for the community. Likewise, the Tribunal accepted that the volunteer was subjected to adverse treatment when asked to remove the sticker from his name badge. But the Tribunal found that the request to remove the sticker was not discrimination because: - The request was based on the employer's uniform policy applicable to all volunteers; and - The sticker was not an essential element of being a member of the 2SLGBTQ2 community. This case raises a lot of interesting questions around the significance of symbols connected to protected characteristics - such as religion, Indigenous identity or political belief. It also emphasizes the importance of a clear dress code or uniform policy and its consistent application for an employer seeking to enforce limitations on expression at work. Thoughts on this one? https://lnkd.in/g_vvtyxF

You can read my review of "Slovenia Counts," an interesting performance from Ljubljana. My review of "Sex Education II" is also published on this page, another performance worth recommending.

Celebrating Queerness: Top LGBTQ+ Musicians You Need on Your Playlist Now https://buff.ly/3xgiPJb Celebrating the diversity of LGBTQ+ musicians is essential for showcasing the talent and creativity within the community. From iconic artists like Elton John and Freddie Mercury to newer talents such as Hayley Kiyoko and Troye Sivan, the music industry is filled with incredible queer voices that deserve recognition. These musicians bring unique perspectives to their art, often sharing personal experiences of love, identity, and resilience through their lyrics and melodies. By including LGBTQ+ musicians in your playlist, you not only support their work but also contribute to a more inclusive music landscape. In fact, studies have shown that representation matters in music, with listeners of all backgrounds seeking out artists who reflect their own identities and experiences. By actively seeking out and listening to LGBTQ+ musicians, you are not only expanding your musical horizons but also supporting a more diverse and equitable music industry. So, whether you're into pop, rock, hip-hop, or any other genre, there's a wealth of LGBTQ+ musicians out there waiting to be discovered. Take the time to explore their work, add them to your playlist, and celebrate the incredible artistry and talent of queer musicians. #LGBTQ+Musicians #QueerAnthems #LatinxQueerSounds #Pride2024 #PlaylistNow #ResilienceAndLove #InnovativeSounds #TrailblazingBeats #DiverseVoices #CelebratingQueerness

The Eurovision Song Contest is often a political spectacle as much as it is a musical competition, and this year's edition was no exception. Switzerland's Nemo clinched victory with their powerful and genre-defying song "The Code," which blends rap, opera, and drum 'n' bass. This high-energy anthem about self-discovery and embracing a non-binary identity resonated deeply with audiences and juries alike, earning Nemo the top spot with 591 points. Nemo, a versatile artist proficient in multiple instruments, has had an eclectic career, from performing as a child in a local cable car station to gaining fame on The Masked Singer Switzerland. Their Eurovision performance, characterized by dynamic staging and vibrant energy, captured the essence of their personal and artistic journey, making it stand out from other entries. The contest was also marked by notable moments, including the controversial disqualification of Dutch artist Joost Klein. Klein's song "Europapa" was removed due to alleged breaches of contest rules, which ironically may have amplified his popularity, possibly overshadowing Nemo's win. Klein's disqualification added a dramatic twist to the event, sparking discussions about the rules and the competitive nature of Eurovision. This year's Eurovision not only highlighted the diverse musical talents across Europe but also underscored the importance of authenticity and personal storytelling in music. As the dust settles, Nemo's victory with "The Code" and the surrounding controversies will be remembered as a significant chapter in Eurovision history. What was your favorite song in Eurovision this year? #Eurovision2024 #Nemo #TheCode #SwitzerlandWins #EurovisionDrama #JoostKlein #MusicCompetition #EurovisionHistory #LGBTQ #DiversityInMusic #EurovisionHighlights

🌟 Gender Equality Matters 🌟 Looking to make a change in the corporate events world? Despite appearing female-dominated, the reality is there's work to be done to achieve true gender parity. 💼💪 Here are some key takeaways from our study: - Addressing gender disparities is essential for progress. - Advocating for equal opportunities benefits everyone involved. - Recognizing and valuing women's contributions is crucial. Curious to dive deeper into this important topic? Click the link to find out more: https://lnkd.in/gmSccqac #GenderEquality #CorporateEvents #EqualOpportunities #EmpowerWomen #ProgressNow

If you are into gender neutral, or, LGBTQ films, @Raindance has a stellar collection of films, that are genre agnostic, and cliche defeating films https://lnkd.in/ewQ-f_rv #Raindance24 #SupportIndieFilm