Jazz FM Celebrates Pride
Programmes dedicated to the LGBTQAI+ community
Last updated 1st Feb 2022
As we continue through Pride Month, Jazz FM has been taking the time to focus on the LGBTQIA+ community within the UK Jazz scene.
From multi-generational discussion about the meaning of Pride, to highlighting key contributors to our musical world – there's a dynamic and energising mix of content to experience.
Daytimes
Across Daytimes, we shared music and sound capsules from artists who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Hosted by Nigel Williams, Anne Frankenstein and Jamie Crick, Tina Edwards, Brendan Reilley, Jas Kayser, Stefan Doering (London Gay Big Band), Ian Shaw, Luca Manning, Jessica Lauren and Deirdre Cartwright shared what Pride and identity represent for them.
Jazz FM Voices
CATCH UP - Saturday 12th June - Jazz FM Voices: Ian Shaw celebrates Pride
Musician, broadcaster and activist Ian Shaw presents an hour of music from artists who identify as LGBTQIA+. Featuring Clare Teal with the London Gay Big Band, Jessica Lauren, Mark Murphy AND brand new, exclusive tracks from Luca Manning, and Brendan Reilly.
We also hear specially record tributes and stories from friends of Ians, and those who play and important role in the UK music scene.
CATCH UP - Saturday 19th June - Jazz FM Voices: Generation Pride with Jamie Crick
Jamie Crick presents a round table discussion about the meaning of Pride, and how LGBTQIA+ Identity has publicly evolved across the years.
Join Jamie, along with musicians Jessica Lauren, Luca Manning and Deirdre Cartwright, for an open conversation. Listen again here:
Naomi Peter's Pride Mix
Across 2021, we’re going to be commissioning a range of articles, opinion pieces, and mixes as part of our Jazz FM Voices platform. As part of Jazz FM Celebrates Pride, we reached out to curator, producer and innovator Naomi Peter.
London born. Ghanaian, Dominican, and British heritage… Naomi is an identical twin, is queer and proud. She is passionate about all things music, food, writing, reading, culture, good vibes, travel (with consciousness), and more music…
Focusing on love, acceptance, difference, and togetherness
"The playlist I have created for Jazz FM voices in the month of Pride, will be a stunning mix of sounds between soulful notes, spoken word, jazz and world music. Focusing on love, acceptance, difference, and togetherness. Music for me has always been an incredible tool to bring all kinds of minds and cultures together. Music for me... has to be one of the most powerful expressions of love."
Jazz FM celebrates Pride this month and every month.
Luca Manning returned later in 2021 to present his own programme, Jazz Is Queer.
CATCH UP - Saturday 18th September - Jazz FM Voices: Jazz Is Queer with Luca Manning
In this hour Luca Manning, along with some of his musical friends, explores how queerness influences art. Jazz FM Awards 2020 winner Xhosa Cole, Jazz FM Awards 2021 with PPL and PRS for Music winner Jas Kayser, and our own Ian Shaw, are among the creatives guesting on this programme.
Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community
If you’d like to learn more about the services available, please read through our list of charities and organisations dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community in the UK.
Albert Kennedy Trust – Akt.
akt is a voluntary organisation based in England, created in 1989 to serve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people who are homeless or living in a hostile environment. It started in Greater Manchester in 1989 and opened in London in 1996, and expanded to Newcastle in 2013.
They support young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates lgbtq+ identities.
Switchboard
A phone support service for LGBTQ+ people, which is there 24 hours a day to provide advice and understanding.
Switchboard is the second-oldest LGBT+ telephone helpline in the United Kingdom, launched the day after Edinburgh Befrienders (later Edinburgh Gay and Lesbian Switchboard).
Switchboard was launched in March 1974 as the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, providing help and information to London's gay community, particularly in the aftermath of the 1967 partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in England and Wales. It received its first call on 4 March 1974.
In the 1980s, Switchboard was the leading source of information on HIV/AIDS, with some of Switchboard's volunteers amongst the founding members of the Terrence Higgins Trust.2
In 2008, Switchboard was the recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Just Like Us
To get involved head to…https://www.justlikeus.org
Just Like Us are a school outreach service working with the NSPCC. Their work has been instrumental in supporting young people through empowering and championing LGBTQ+ equality.
LGBT+ young people still face unacceptable levels of lesbophobia, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia – 85% still regularly hear homophobic remarks (Prescient for Just Like Us, 2019). LGBT+ young people are also more than twice as likely to be worrying daily about their mental health and one in four is currently experiencing daily tensions in the place they are living (Just Like Us, 2021). LGBT+ young people who are Black, disabled and/or eligible for free school meals face even more challenges.
They hold three programmes across the UK – The Ambassador Programme, Pride Groups Programme and School Diversity Week.