GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) media advocacy organization, today announced that the Recording Academy has donated $150,000 to the organization to support its work to diversify the music industry.
In addition to the donation, GLAAD and the Recording Academy announced a partnership for 2022 to further promote inclusion in this space through various initiatives, including:
- Articles and profiles on LGBTQ+ music artists on GLAAD.org and GRAMMY.com, as well as each organization’s social media channels.
- Support from the Recording Academy for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, April 2, 2022 and New York City, NY on Friday, May 6, 2022.
- LGBTQ+-focused DEI training sessions hosted by the GLAAD Media Institute for Recording Academy elected leaders and staff to learn more about LGBTQ+ people and issues.
- Participation from key GLAAD executives in the Recording Academy’s DEI speakers series throughout the upcoming year.
“The music industry is one of the most powerful avenues for bringing cultural conversations around diversity and inclusion to the forefront,” said GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Our new partnership with the Recording Academy will shape the future of LGBTQ+ inclusion in music and uplift underrepresented voices within the industry who have been overlooked for far too long.”
“We’re thrilled to double-down on our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in partnership with GLAAD to inspire a culture of belonging and respect within the music industry,” said Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Tammy Hurt. “This partnership embodies our joint commitment to accelerate progress for LGBTQ+ voices and ensure that the music community is representative of the many diverse artists who contribute to and call this industry home.”
In November 2021, GLAAD applauded LGBTQ+ artists nominated for the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards including Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile, and Lady Gaga, as well as new artists Japanese Breakfast and Arlo Parks, who received nominations in the Best New Artist category. A full list of out LGBTQ+ GRAMMY Award nominees can be found here.
As an organization, GLAAD works through media – including film, television, music, advertising and more – to advance LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance. Through the GLAAD Media Institute, GLAAD consults on LGBTQ+ storylines and projects in media and Hollywood, conducts research into LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance, and offers LGBTQ+ media trainings to some of the world’s largest studios, networks, music groups, brands, and other key entertainment companies.
In addition to its work behind-the-scenes, GLAAD annually hosts the GLAAD Media Awards, which honor media for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ+ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally. At the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2021, GLAAD introduced the Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist category, recognizing LGBTQ+ artists who have achieved a breakthrough in the music industry and who are shaping the future of the industry and clearing a path for up-and-coming LGBTQ+ artists. In 2021, CHIKA received the inaugural award in the Breakthrough Music Artist category and Sam Smith received the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist.
