Queer Quarantine Survival Song
Music is a lifesaver. Always, but especially during a global pandemic. If you’re on social media, you may have seen an increase in the number of people participating in the 30-day song challenge on Instagram stories recently. During quarantine, the ability to share music with friends, family, and social media users can provide a virtual sense of intimacy to many. Create collaborative playlists with your friends on Spotify, host a virtual dance party with your friends, or create a virtual lip-sync battle. Listening to and sharing music is just one of many ways to feel less isolated when practicing social distancing.
We know that isolation can be especially difficult for people in the LGBTQ+ community. In this blog post, we refer to people who identify as LGBTQ+ as “queer.” This is because many people see this as a label that affirms their identity. Queer people around the world often already live in isolation from their families and communities. For many queer people, frequent connections with the queer community are essential to survival and thriving. Social distancing is making it more difficult to feel connected, especially for those who may be isolated in unaccepting homes.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), I am especially mindful of queer survivors of sexual assault. Queer people experience some of the highest rates of sexual violence. We also know that survivors of sexual and domestic violence feel the effects of global isolation more than others. According to the Human Rights Campaign, bisexual people are more likely than heterosexual or homosexual people to experience sexual violence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). Transgender people in particular are at higher risk, with her 47% of transgender people experiencing sexual violence at some point in their lives (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015). Queer survivors of sexual violence deserve adequate and comprehensive support services. For people who identify as queer and survivors, the effects of social distancing can be incredibly overwhelming.
If you’re a queer survivor, know you’re not alone. Look no further than the playlist. Music can be a form of liberation. These songs, all by Queer Her Artist, remind us that ourselves, our identities, and our experiences matter.
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