Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: LGBTQIA+

In This Section

These resources help orchestras build an open and inclusive culture for people of all sexual orientations. 

Join

In 2022, the League launched its official Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) affinity group. Creating a sense and place of belonging where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas and being seen allows the orchestra field to benefit from everyone’s talent and abilities. The League’s LGBTQIA+ affinity group aims to foster this sense of belonging, through its annual networking reception at the National Conference and knowledge-sharing events.   

Resources

Statement from the League, June 2021

In Pride Month and beyond, the League celebrates and stands in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people.

Conductors and Ensembles You Should Know

From Classic FM, lists of LGBTQIA+ conductors (from history and living today) and ensembles, “sharing their love of music in safe, accepting and diverse spaces around the world.”

Engaging the LGBTQIA+ Community

Composer Leo Hurley speaks about an experience of developing an opera with an LGBTQIA+ main character and engaging the LGBTQIA+ community into the conversations through art.

The Met Opera Has a Gay Conductor. Yes, That Matters.

An interview with Yannick Nézet-Séguin from The New York Times.

Connect

Bay Area Rainbow Symphony

Launched in 2008, Bay Area Rainbow Symphony is dedicated to promoting and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer identified  musicians and composers toward the goal of broad crossover appeal and excellence in the performing arts.

Queer Urban Orchestra

The Queer Urban Orchestra is dedicated to the promotion of fine arts in the New York City metropolitan area. Its membership is open to all adult musicians regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra

The Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra seeks to provide diverse arts entertainment of the highest quality, resulting in increased visibility for the musical talents of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Rainbow City Orchestra

Rainbow City Orchestra (RCO) is a non-audition community orchestra based in Seattle, WA. RCO offers musicians the opportunity to perform in a friendly and supportive environment within the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Non-Conformists Orchestra

The Non-Conformists support and encourage LGBTQ+ and other marginalized genders & BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color) who are composers, performers and arrangers, artists and composers by creating and maintaining the Non-Conformists Orchestra, the world’s first transgender, non-binary professional orchestra. 

International Pride Orchestra

Founded in 2022, the International Pride Orchestra brings together LGBTQIA+ musicians from around the world to present concerts, celebrate community, and raise funds for LGBTQIA+ causes. As a volunteer orchestra, a new city is selected each year to host an IPO concert. Each concert partners with an LGBTQIA+ organization to provide an outlet for patrons and musicians to give. 

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Is your orchestra celebrating Pride Month with a musical event? Let us know by emailing member@americanorchestras.org so we can add your concert below!