Music has the ability to transform, to heighten, and to inspire. And for the LGBTQ+ community, it has historically been a reminder to take up space unabashedly, to not only dance like no one’s watching, but to do so no matter who is.
Sound has the power to bring people together — and inside the walls of the famous Stonewall Inn circa 1966, the LGBTQ+ community found safety and community in song.
At the time, it was extremely rare to find public bars and spaces to dance in that were safe for the community. But at Stonewall, couples would dance together, and the fleeting but powerful seconds of song provided a rare moment of semi-public peace and intimacy. However, the inn was commonly raided, with the people who sought community and comfort in song instead finding themselves in danger of arrest and assault.
Today, music stands firm as a way to foster community and spark change for those who are LGBTQ+. That is why Bose is working hand-in-hand with one of the largest outdoor queer music festivals in Brooklyn, NY — LadyLand. Spearheaded by iconic nightlife producer Ladyfag, the festival is a celebration of queer talent and music, creating a safe haven of joy, art, and sound.
For many, songs become anthems and lyrics become testimony that provide representation and reassurance on a path that can otherwise feel daunting. With that in mind, Bose is partnering with artist and producer Jack Antonoff’s the Ally Coalition to use the power of music to better the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. The Ally Coalition aims to raise awareness about systematic inequalities facing the LGBTQ+ population and uses known artists and music to mobilize fans and inspire action. Music has the power to make people feel seen and amplifying visibility on queer issues is a crucial steppingstone to shining a light on the queer community.
The use of music and sound in queer subgenres like drag and ballroom are key staples in LGBTQ+ culture. Both are art forms that break down conventional gender expression, and when these artists take to the stage while lip-syncing and strutting alongside music or voguing down a catwalk, they’re embodying a persona and story that draws from the striking words and beat.
There’s power in not only the music, but in how it empowers the people performing, moves the people jamming along, and inspires the people listening for the first time. There’s power in how bold it is, in how unapologetic and genuinely joyful. There’s power in the community it brings. And above all else, there’s power in the pride.
