Page 18 - HGS Suburb News 150 - Summer 2022
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                                                                                     Freedom inMusic
                                Freedom – LGBT+ rights
                                                                                     Finding the solace you have been searching for in music is
                                According to an Office for National Statistics survey in 2019, 2.7% in the  indescribable, there is nothing else like it. Itʼs as if the notes (and lyrics)
                   YOUTH
                                UK over the age of sixteen identify as LGBTQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,  were written especially for you (even though it should be impossible for
                                transgender, questioning, asexual, or any other sexuality or gender  someone else to understand so profoundly your situation).
                                identity that does not conform to the cisgender heterosexual norm).  Music has been present throughout human history and forms an
           In this issue, we are  The proportion of people who are not public with their sexuality or  intrinsic part of our highest moments of victory and our lowest cries of
                                gender identity is potentially even greater. Why, then, is this large and  suffering. A particular song can strike a chord within us, touching our
          looking at the idea of  valued community continually discriminated against?  heart and helps us feel, share and remember. Music allows us to return
          ʻfreedomʼ. Freedom is  The continual resistance to completely ban conversion therapy,  to a time, a place or even a feeling.
                                something which the evidence clearly shows is a form of abuse,  The most liberating time in all musical history was the rapid succession
       simultaneously a deeply  demonstrates how successive governments are not prioritising the  of musicals in the early 1900s when the foundations for all modern
                                LGBT+ communityʼs rights. However, the Universal Declaration of
              personal and yet                                                       music were laid and musical expression became unrestricted in a way it
                                Human Rights clearly states “All human beings are born free and equal  had never been before.
         universally recognised  in dignity and rights and the United Nations has released a statement
                                saying, “The equality and non-discrimination guarantee provided by  All western music up until this time had been a progression of the
      idea: it is something we all  international human rights law applies to all people, regardless of sex,  subversion and development of established structures: the Romantic
                                sexual orientation and gender identity or ʻother statusʼ.”  era (which spanned from the late 1700s to the early 1900s) was a
           relate to, yet all find                                                   succession from Classical which itself succeeded Baroque. As the world
                                Although this could not be clearer, several nations actively discriminate  became increasingly culturally integrated, however, so did its music.
      different meanings in. For  against the LGBT+ community. Within the 69 countries where being
                                openly gay, bisexual, or transgender is illegal, ten have the death  Jazz, for example, challenged the very fabric of music theory. It began
      some, freedom may show    penalty for “homosexual acts”. Even in countries where this is not the  in West Africa, the birthplace of many slaves. The songs that they sang
         itself in society, in our  case, state sponsored discrimination is rife – from President Andrzej  as they worked in America were an amalgamation of tribal African
                                Duda of Polandʼs comments that “Homosexuality is a worse ideology  music and the music of Christian missionaries. When the American Civil
      rights and responsibilities  than communism” to Floridaʼs Parental Rights in Education bill, which  War ended in 1865, many of these slaves found jobs as musicians, and
                                prevents schools from teaching young people about LGBT+ issues, or  in this new world of emancipation and freedom blues and jazz found
       and in our governments.  even that they exist at all. These politicians and law makers are creating  their place. The melancholy and brutal sorrow, united with broken
       For others, it is historical  an environment where homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia are  hope would lay the foundations for rock and roll, and hip-hop
                                                                                     respectively. It was ground-breaking.
                                prevalent. In 2018-19, 16,824 hate crimes were reported in England and
        and emerges again and   Wales caused by these toxic beliefs. These incidents not only cause  The call for equality in struggle is timeless. Whether in Bob Marleyʼs
                                intense emotional, and often physical pain, but also can lead to more  Exodus, or Nina Simoneʼs voice and fight for the civil rights movement,
        again over all of time as  serious crimes. Therefore, everyone benefits by supporting the rights  both remain as important a message today, as they were in the 1960s
           the liberation of the  and freedoms of LGBT+ individuals.                 and 70s.
                                How can we ensure that people of all sexualities and gender identities  For me (Oscar), music plays a big part in my daily life. Throughout the
       oppressed. Currently, we  are free to be happy with who they are?             lockdowns, it provided me with escape, inspiration and enjoyment (as
                                                                                     it continues to now). Whatever kind of day I have, whatever mood I am
      may all be feeling a sense                    • Call out homophobia and transphobia if
                                                    you see or hear it. Remember, it is never OK  in, there is always an album I can play which reflects my mood. I have
       of freedom as we emerge                       to discriminate against someone because  enjoyed collecting albums for well over a year and have also recently
                                                     of their identity.              loved finding freedom in creating my own music. There is something
           from the Pandemic.                                                        fascinating in the depth contained in just a few notes, and in my
                                                      • Donʼt ʻdeadnameʼ – use peopleʼs  experience, music is the greatest liberator.
           However freedom is                          preferred names and pronouns so they
                                                       can feel more accepted.       Live music is particularly freeing. Itʼs powerful and bonding. North
     interpreted, it is ultimately                                                   London is a brilliant place to see all kinds of live music, whether that be
                                                     • Write to your local MP to lobby the  at the local Proms at St Judeʼs (running this year from the June 25th to
           fundamental to our                        government into action to protect  July 3rd) or other shows happening nearby like musical performances
                                                     peopleʼs freedom from hate.
                 coexistence.                                                                        at the Arts Depot in North Finchley or Lauderdale
                                                      • Educate yourself – there are plenty of        House, in Waterlow Park, Highgate.
                                                      courses, newsletters, and articles out
                Oscar Graham                         there that can keep you up to date on the       Post Covid-19, peopleʼs spirits need lifting, and
                                                                                                                the beauty of music is more
                                                    most pressing issues affecting the                          important than ever. As an art
                                                    LGBT+ community.                                          form, music speaks universally. It
                                                                     THOMAS YIANNIKOU                     has and always will be a way for humans
        (Adeena, Riya & Smruthi                                                                          to unite, empathise and communicate
           attend The Henrietta                                                                           with each other. It is the greatest
                                                                                                         liberator. We behold musicʼs power to
               Barnett School                                                                            touch us collectively in a stadium or
                                                                                                           arena, yet its power is no less
                        and                                                                                  significant on a personal level as we
                                                                                                             replay a song on repeat when no one
      Ava, Jonah, Oscar, Susana                                                                           else is listening…
              & Thomas attend        P R HARTLEY                                                               JONAH PHILLIPS & OSCAR GRAHAM
          The Archer Academy)        CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
                                       & REGISTERED AUDITOR

                                    Accounting & Taxation Services

                                      Call 020 8731 9745 or 07850 634395
                                         Email: paul@prhartley.co.uk
                                              www.prhartley.co.uk



      14                                                                        SUBURB NEWS IS PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TO YOU BY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS
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