Twin Sisters and indie-pop singing duo, Tegan and Sara announced the launch of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which aims to “fight for economic justice, health and representation for LGBTQ girls and women.”
The Nov. 19 announcement came as a letter on their website which explained the story behind the launch and why it was so important to them.
“Since the beginning of our career, our LGBTQ fans have supported us in innumerable ways.,” the letter started. “Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us.”
It went on to say that the fans personal histories of injustice and discriminations in everyday life has inspired them to use their public status to voice the struggles of the LGBT community.
The letter shared gratitude with several key supporters that they were inspired by, including GLAAD, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, the LA LGBT Center, Equality North Carolina, the Audre Lorde Project, the Astraea Foundation, and the Williams Institute, who educated them on the current issues that affect LGTBQ people in North America.
Issues such as the lack of federal funding for LGBTQ services, limited training for doctors about the needs of their LGBTQ patients, and severe workplace discrimination were highlighted.
“Most importantly, we learned that LGBTQ women and girls are feeling overwhelmingly rejected and left behind,” the letter continued. “Through the Tegan and Sara Foundation, we can be proactive with our support rather than wait to react to discrimination as it occurs.”
The letter also shared a promise to support the work of other organizations that are fighting for LGBTQ and women’s rights by raising funds and awareness for their initiatives, while fighting for the “repressive legislation of the incoming Trump administration.”The sisters concluded with a commitment to fight for economic, racial, and gender justice, by fighting against regressive homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic legislation.
“We started the Foundation to dismantle the systems of inequity that prevent LGBTQ girls and women from reaching their full potential,” the letter concluded. “Together, we can make a difference. “
