Musicians Tegan and Sara have set up a new project called the Tegan and Sara Foundation, the LA Times reports. The foundation is devoted to “commitment to feminism and racial, social, and gender justice” and will focus on achieving equality for LGBTQ girls and women.
“Since the beginning of our career, our LGBTQ fans have supported us in innumerable ways. Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us,” the duo said in a letter posted on the foundation’s website. “Your personal histories of injustice and discrimination at home, school, work, and church have inspired us to use our public status to speak out about the struggles of the LGBTQ community.”
“We learned a great deal from you all, including much more about the needs of LGBTQ people in North America,” they wrote. “We learned that the lack of federal funding for LGBTQ services, limited training for doctors about the needs of their LGBTQ patients, and severe workplace discrimination are disproportionately affecting women. Most importantly, we learned that LGBTQ women and girls are feeling overwhelmingly rejected and left behind.”
The twin sisters are incredible advocates for LGBTQ rights and have been for years, leading to being named outstanding music artist by the GLAAD Media Awards in 2014.
