Report: Survey reveals discrimination of LGBTQIA+
- Title: ‘Musicians’ Census – LGBTQ+ Musicians Insight Report’
- Published in: February 2024
- Keywords: LGBTQIA+, artists, gender equality, marginalized communities, supportive measures
Authored collaboratively by Help Musicians, Come Play with Me, and the UK Musicians’ Union, the ‘Musicians’ Census – LGBTQ+ Musicians Insight Report’ compiles data from 1090 UK-based musicians who self-identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Help Musicians, an esteemed independent UK charity dedicated to supporting professional musicians during pivotal career moments, partners with the Musicians’ Union, a robust collective of more than 34,000 members advocating for equitable treatment within the music industry. Complementing this partnership is Come Play With Me, a non-profit music development organisation, which specialises in supporting marginalised individuals to further their careers in music.
With a commitment to shedding light on the work realities of LGBTQIA+ communities, the census collected data through a 15-minute online survey conducted from January to March 2023. Although confined to the UK, this comprehensive endeavour offers a nuanced glimpse into the pervasive challenges posed by cost-related barriers, discriminatory practices, and the resulting mental health strains among LGBTQIA+ musicians.
Some key findings:
- 55% of the LGBTQIA+ respondents reported a lack of sustainable income as a barrier in their music careers.
- “Only a third of LGBTQ+ musicians earn all of their income from music, and this drops to just 15% for trans musicians.”
- “Discrimination was reported as a barrier by almost a quarter of LGBTQ+ musicians and the discrimination they experience is often intersectional and goes unreported.”
- “Over half of trans respondents reported experiencing discrimination based on their gender identity.”
- “43% of LGBTQ+ musicians reported poor mental wellbeing and 30% reported poor physical wellbeing. This is significantly higher than the overall Census sample.”
The significance of these findings resonates profoundly across the music landscape, urging festivals and other industry stakeholders to reckon with the enduring impact of discriminatory practices on the career trajectories of LGBTQIA+ artists, particularly those from intersecting marginalised identities (e.g. relating to age, ethnicity, sexuality). As the census’ authors wrote, this survey stands as a crucial instrument for informing supportive measures aimed at enhancing LGBTQIA+ musicians’ well-being and fostering a more inclusive spirit in the music industry.