With the rise of COVID-19 cases, many steps are being taken to prevent the spread and ensure people’s safety. This is leaving many people out of work and affecting their sources of income. For musicians, it is resulting in the cancellation of live events and tours, which is how many musicians generate their income. LGBTQIA musicians already face many struggles and having to cancel their main sources of income and a way that they’re able to connect with their communities is a huge blow.

During this time, Homoground hosted a virtual panel to hear from musicians in our LGBTQIA community who are being affected by COVID-19 and to discuss ways that we as a community can help each other, as well as come up with solutions to alternative ways to survive financially during this time.

We heard directly from:
Terra Lopez (Rituals of Mine)
Lauren Denitzio (Worriers)
Kim Villagant (Kimmortal)
+ more

Continue this discussion and find support on the Homoground Discord.

We will be posting more events like this on our Patreon, including skillshares and more panel discussions on specific topics that came up during this panel.

Resources mentioned on this call:

Virtual Music Events Directory: A Calendar of Livestreaming events plus a Livestreaming Tool Directory with resources to setting up your own livestream https://docs.google.com/document/d/11wWL_7I4BG76t0V2kw1a4yIeWxUSfGwMQFYdUWAgSnA/preview#heading%3Dh.6p7nn4acptfw

She Shreds Magazine: List of resources for musicians. General plus state specific resources. They will continue to update it: https://sheshredsmag.com/covid-19-resources-for-musicians/

Freelance Artist Resources: This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc. https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/

Artist Relief Tree: A new fund created to financially support artists who are affected by cancellations due to COVID-19.
https://artistrelieftree.com/

MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund: To help address the concerns of the industry during this time, MusiCares have expanded their services to include lost income due to the cancellation of scheduled gigs or performances due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 precautionary measures. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund

Women in Sound: An ongoing list of free and discounted educational resources, software licenses, webinars, online courses, and enjoyable media for these uncertain times. https://www.womeninsound.com/covid19-resources

Equal Sound Corona Relief Fund: Relief Fund for musicians with canceled work. Musicians can apply for financial assistance. People who have $$ can also donate to this fund. https://equalsound.org/project/corona-relief-fund/

Corona Virus Resource List: A comprehensive list of TONS of resources (general, not musician/artist specific, but very useful): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rcan4C_e6OBFBI5bUn7MtYK74Ab-WarxyJmDvZUI_YA/mobilebasic

This episode is brought to you by TERRORBIRD MEDIA, a queer-owned music marketing company who encourages you to directly support independent artists wherever you can, today and always: Buy records and merch directly from artists or their labels, and send yourself or a homebound pal a musical care package! Subscribe to their patreon, or even donate directly via their preferred payment app. For more suggestions and info on how – and who – you can help, follow @terrorbirdmedia on Twitter and Instagram.

/// Technology to host this panel is made possible by Composites Collective, operating at the intersection of design & technology, behavioral sciences and technology. http://compositescollective.com \\\