Representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in audio continues to increase and improve in Thailand and across the world. As a global streaming platform, Spotify is committed to supporting LGBTQIA+ artists, as well as promoting equity, empathy, and proper representation across its global platform.
This Pride Month, Spotify is celebrating and elevating LGBTQIA+ artists and creators with its global RAISE YOUR VOICE campaign, which uses the power of audio to provide a source of solidarity and inspiration for listeners, as well as increase awareness about the issues LGBTQIA+ communities still face globally.
In Thailand, Spotify is uplifting local voices this Pride Month with the refreshed อย่างที่ฉันเป็น playlist, featuring a lineup of the latest hits by Thai LGBTQIA+ artists and allies. The playlist will also spotlight three local artists, Koen, 4MIX and SILVY, on its cover art across June to help elevate their music on the global stage.
When asked what Pride means to them, Thailand's first LGBTQIA+ boy band 4MIX shared, "To us, Pride represents the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community and encourages society to accept LGBTQIA+ people - allowing them to express their true selves... We use our lyrics and music videos as ways to express our sexual orientation and freedom, which helps listeners understand us better, and hopefully inspires them to be who they truly are. As a streaming platform with international reach, Spotify has helped us share our message and music to audiences around the world."
Gender fluid artist KOEN, said, "Pride is a way for us to celebrate diversity and a reminder of how the LGBTQIA+ community are still fighting for our rights. Representation in music is incredibly important and the ability to express myself - my gender identity, my sexuality - through music and visuals contributes to creating a safe space for LGBTQIA+ listeners of all generations. I think all of us - artists, audiences, and even Spotify - are co-creating this safe space together and I am extremely grateful for that."
Encouraging the representation of all types of love, SILVY shared, "Pride to me is the confidence within yourself; when you stand up for yourself and proudly let your true self shine. Pride is also the acceptance of love in all forms no matter what it may look like… The LGBTQIA+ community is slowly but surely being embraced by the general population, and we need to be the voices of those who are underrepresented so that we can come together… Through Spotify's platform, I am honored to be one of the figures that can drive the LGBTQIA+ movement and I hope that my songs tell my stories for the new generations of our world."
As part of the RAISE YOUR VOICE campaign, Spotify has launched a renewed Pride Hub, featuring flagship Pride playlists such as Out Now and Transcend, new music playlists, and podcasts that highlight stories and music from all corners of the LGBTQIA+ community across the globe. Further, listeners can also hear from a diverse group of historically underrepresented activists, including Jonathan Lykes and Karolyna Pollorena - with each curating exclusive playlists that celebrate their work and communities.
Commenting on how Spotify is promoting local LGBTQIA+ artists, KOEN added, "Spotify is a great place to share my thoughts and I've used the platform to connect with people and tell them that 'you can be yourself; you can explore yourself; you can do what you want to do…'. This is especially true as I release music as an LGBTQIA+ artist - including my work with TKP - as well as do podcasts discussing gender expression. We live in a world where we have the right to be ourselves and, thanks to Spotify's platform, our community is supported and can raise its voice."
To support LGBTQIA+ creators and communities on Spotify, and listen to the curated Pride playlists, visit Spotify's Pride Hub.
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Source: Hill & Knowlton
