Month-Long Celebration Includes Listening Parties, Curated Playlists, Mental Health Initiatives, Product Launches and More

Visit the Official Music Is Universal Pride Hub HERE 

SANTA MONICA, June 1, 2021 – Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, is expanding its annual Music Is Universal LGBTQ+ Pride celebration for 2021. This year’s mission centers around belonging and intersectionality, striving to transcend tolerance and create a true sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community by amplifying the voices of UMG employees, artists and fans. The month-long celebration will feature a capsule collection benefiting GLAAD, artist listening parties, curated playlists and a mental health content series.

“Music is a unifying force in the world and has the power to uplift every voice, intersectionality and identity,” said UMG EVP & Chief People & Inclusion Officer Eric Hutcherson. “We believe that all people should feel that they belong, and our hope is that our Pride celebration gives that sense of belonging to all members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, as well as supports the organizations and people doing the critical work of advocating for the community – not just during Pride Month but throughout the year.”

“Music has always been a powerful medium for self-expression and belonging, helping members from different communities, including LGBTQ+ people, to connect with one another,” said Taylor Owen, Strategic Partnerships Officer at GLAAD. “Universal Music Group’s ‘Music is Universal’ Pride collection harnesses the power of music to uplift the community, artists, allies, fans and the music industry by amplifying necessary messages of visibility and acceptance this June.”

Launching June 1 and rolling out throughout the month, UMG has planned a lineup of initiatives that invite LGBTQ+ artists, fans and allies to join in celebrating and having important conversations.

MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL™ PRIDE COLLECTION: UMG and its Universal Music All Together Now Foundation partnered with GLAAD, Queer Candle Co. – a Brooklyn-based, queer-owned small business – and Social Goods to create a limited-edition MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL™ Pride collection supporting GLAAD. The capsule collection includes a Pride candle ($22) and companion long-sleeve tee ($50), as well as a sticker ($5) with 25% of the proceeds benefiting GLAAD. The capsule collection is available for purchase at Social Goods.

LISTENING PARTY & PLAYLISTS: A series of Pride listening parties throughout the month of June will be hosted by UMG LGBTQ+ artists and allies. UMG and artists will create playlists showcasing the LGBTQ+ artists and allies across their global network of labels.

ROADMAP TO LGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH: In partnership with The Mental Health Coalition (MHC), UMG will create content that educates and de-stigmatizes conversations around LGBTQ+ mental health and connect audiences to mental health resources from organizations including The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness; American Foundation for Suicide Prevention(AFSP); Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA); Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA); The Family Acceptance Project; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI); The National Council for Mental Wellbeing; National Eating Disorders Association(NEDA); Trans Lifeline; The Trevor Project; Vibrant Emotional Health; and Well Being Trust.

MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL INSTAGRAM FILTERS: UMG will be unveiling Music Is Universal Pride Instagram filters for artists and fans to show support for the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate Pride 2021. For more details and information on new events throughout the month, please join the Music Is Universal Pride campaign HERE.

ABOUT UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company.

ABOUT GLAAD
GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. Find out more at: https://www.glaad.org/

ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH COALITION
The Mental Health Coalition (www.thementalhealthcoalition.org), is a coalition of the Nation’s leading mental health organizations, brands, and individuals who have joined forces to end the debilitating stigma surrounding mental health and to change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness. Our mission is to catalyze like-minded communities to work together to destigmatize mental health and empower access to vital resources and necessary support for all.

The Mental Health Coalition was formed with the understanding that the mental health crisis is fueled by a pervasive and devastating stigma, preventing millions of individuals from being able to seek the critical treatment they need. We will not relent until mental health is no longer associated with stigma, shame or judgement and all people feel empowered to openly discuss and address their individual mental health needs.

ABOUT SOCIAL GOODS
Social Goods sells statement-making merchandise that gives back to nonprofits and raises awareness of today’s most pressing issues. The online store was launched in 2019 with the goal of creating a platform that allows consumers to support the causes they care about, while learning more about the incredible nonprofits leading the charge on these crucial social issues. www.social-goods.com

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