Liam Gillin’s Post

I've had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the outstanding team at Out Jamz and the founder, Liam Gillin. They embody inclusivity and acceptance, making them truly remarkable individuals I've enjoyed connecting with online. Here's some valuable advice for those venturing into the music industry, whether as photographers, journalists, or graphic designers: 1) Research is always important. Whether through watching Disney Channel or following YouTubers, chances are you've encountered LGBTQ individuals. Understanding their perspectives and experiences is essential. Before joining Out Jamz, I was fortunate to learn from my mentor Anna Billy at 1520 Vision created by Stacey M.. If a mentor isn't available or you don't have one, don't hesitate to ask friends' questions or seek guidance from online forums or resources like Zane Lowe's interviews. 2) Diversify your applications. Don't rely solely on one opportunity. In the music industry, exploration and networking are crucial. Engage with people beyond their musical interests. Networking, even through Instagram DMs, can open unexpected doors. And even if Out Jamz doesn't seem like your thing, there are tons of other outlets and organizations that explore and advocate for inclusivity. Amplify Her Voice and Diversability® 3) Take your applications seriously. While unpaid or temporary positions may not seem significant, they offer valuable experience that you can apply to cover letters and resumes. Many contributor and publication roles start this way due to the nature of startup businesses. Please treat each application with the same diligence as a job application, and revisit it if necessary. 4) Familiarize yourself with the publication or nonprofit's past projects. Understanding their content and music is vital. A thorough search on platforms like YouTube, Google, Spotify, or Instagram can provide insight into their work. Almost everyone has at least one social media account, make use of it! 5) Use your volunteer experiences! Every little thing you do matters from tabling in college to Greek life to being a secretary for Active Minds, Inc. Towson University's club, I've talked about all of these experiences in applications and cover letters. I cannot emphasize enough how REVERB has changed my life and my college internship and experiences as an Alpha Phi Omega Brother, have helped me in the music industry. Social skills, volunteer work, and community service skills go a long way when you're looking for a new opportunity. 6) Lastly, embrace honesty and curiosity. Asking questions and seeking assistance demonstrates initiative and a willingness to learn. There's no shame in admitting what you don't know. Proactive communication is key to success in any industry. #musicindustry #lgbtq #advocacy #outlets #publications #unpaidwork #musicjournalist #avice #industryproffesionals #music #socialmedia #networking #disabled #chronicallyill

🚨 55% of LGBTQ+ musicians report not being able to make a sustainable income as a barrier to their music careers 29% of LGBTQ+ musicians said they don’t earn enough money to support themselves or their family And there's a pay gap for trans musicians of almost £10k That's why we've teamed up with Come Play With Me to put together 12 recommendations for government and industry to make the music industry more inclusive for LGBTQ+ musicians They cover: 🟡 Funding and investment 🟡 Research and education – including investment in training and networking 🟡 Attitude and accountability Learn more 🔗 https://bit.ly/4bWFLMM #MusiciansCensus2023 #WeAreTheMU

The decisions we make are impactful

How does an LGBTQ+ safe space make you feel? 🏳️🌈✈️ Until you are in one you don’t quite realise how much you hold back and question things. Being in a safe space gives you the freedom to express yourself, visually with what you wear, verbally, physically (e.g holding hands) etc without having to second guess yourself. Honestly it’s a relief to let all those worries go. This is one of the reasons why more spaces in travel need to look at how they can take away the guesswork for LGBTQ+ people as to whether they are in a safe space or not….. #lgbtq #travel #influencer #marketing

#TV series with more diverse LGBTQ characters are being cancelled at a disportioncate rate - particularly as it relates to trans characters and queer people of color. Nearly half of trans characters in this year's Where We Are On TV report appeared on series that have been cancelled or ended. At a time when we're seeing over 500 anti-LGBTQ bills, mostly targeting trans folks, and when only 30% of Americans say they know someone who is trans, this is a huge disservice to our community. It is also a disservice to our businesses. #LGBTQ stories have power and resonance that audiences are craving. WPP found that 93% of LGBTQ and 85% of non-LGBTQ 18-24 year olds actively seek out queer inclusive media —but only 38% are satisfied with how LGBTQ people are represented. #Networks and #streamers that do not tell nuanced and meaningful inclusive LGBTQ stories are at true risk of alienating a huge audience and tarnishing future brand recognition. This tremendous gap provides an opportunity for networks and streaming companies to win audiences and subscribers who are hungry for more inclusive programming and fresh new perspectives. LGBTQ #inclusion is key for TV to stay relevant and grow its audiences.

We're here. We're queer. We're not going anywhere. Efforts to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and visibility not only hurt our community, but all marginalized communities. From a societal standpoint, this is unconscionable. From an economic standpoint, it's simply stupid and bad business. According to this article, companies are - and should - be standing strong in their DEI efforts, not buckling to political pressure. If it's true, that's good. The authors note that "rainbow capitalism" has a positive effect, which may be true in terms of more diverse hiring practices. I'm a bit uncomfortable with that term, though, as I would argue that "rainbow capitalism" connotes performative allyship - even the Wikipedia link that the article references states as such. As we head into Pride month, it's important to be aware of which companies are standing strong in their commitments to the LGBTQ+ community, how they are doing so, and which are not. #lgbtqia+ #lgbtq+ #dei

Though there is inconsistent progress on #LGBTQ representation from major distributors year to year, recent films with LGBTQ leads prove that our stories can absolutely be both critical and commercial successes - when they have the full support of the studio behind them. As the film production and distribution model continues to evolve, major distributors must deepen investment and intention in storytelling efforts to retain the attention of growing young diverse audiences, who crave stories that reflect their experience and their values. If LGBTQ #representation continues to decline in major releases, these companies will lose relevance with a crucial buying audience. GLAAD is committed to continuing and deepening our work with studios and the creative community to ensure we meet this moment together. GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index maps the quantity, quality and #diversity of LGBTQ characters in film. The Index also serves as a road map for studios, identifying priorities and opportunities to increase and improve fair, accurate and #inclusive LGBTQ representation and storytelling in film. You can find this year's full index and studio ratings here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eVExhsud

We're so happy to represent so many speakers all across the LGBTQ+ community. For Pride Month, we've been featuring some of their fresh, new perspectives. And today, we have YouTuber, writer, and digital activist Jackson Bird. This quote from Jackson feels especially relevant with the recent rise of LGBTQ+ representation in film. According to GLAAD's most recent annual study tracking the quantity, quality, and diversity of queer representation in media, of the 350 films tracked, over 28% contained at least one LGBTQ+ character—the highest percentage covered in the 11 years GLADD has conducted the survey. The number of trans characters also hit a record high (albeit, that number was only 12). LGBTQ+ representation in media has certainly been improving, but there's still a ways to go. For instance, over half of the LGBTQ+ characters in the study had less than five minutes of screentime. As we push towards greater equality and liberation, let's remember that, as Jackson says, the most surefire way of telling more and better queer stories is by hiring more queer creators. To book Jackson to speak at one of your events, click here: https://lnkd.in/gdrabFSm

FREE WEBINAR - “Pride, Prejudice, and PR” - June 6 at 6 p.m. ET Communicators face a challenging environment. While enjoying increasingly diverse representations of LGBTQ people in media, culture, and politics, we are also under unrelenting attack at the legislative level in many states, and many of our most vulnerable are being targeted in schools, religious institutions, libraries, and more. A new generation of LGBTQ youth is both more visible and empowered than ever before—and also the target of these attacks. How can communicators tell the stories of LGBTQ people in an environment that is so divisive and consumed by misinformation? How do corporate supporters and other allies navigate the increasingly loud and organized backlash that can come with supporting LGBTQ causes? Join a panel of PR experts and advocates to discuss Pride 2024 and beyond. Co-sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Museum of Public Relations. Register here for “Pride, Prejudice, and PR” at 6 p.m. Thurs., June 6: https://lnkd.in/g_CYX6TC #Pride #PrideMonth #LGBTQ #PRSA #PRSALearning #MuseumofPublicRelations

In the 1990s, Subaru took a bold step in marketing, subtly targeting lesbian women through clever, inclusive advertising. At a time when LGBTQ+ marketing was rare, Subaru embraced its audience authentically and set a precedent for inclusive branding. 🚘 🌈 💬 Would you support a brand for recognizing your community? Let’s discuss! #subaru #lgbtqhistory #subarufans #lgbtq #brandloyalty #marketing #advertising #digtalmarketing