What is Q Review?
The Origins in the Founders Words.
Kenney Fitzpatrick, Q Review Founder
Q Review is not a media outlet. Q Review is a one of a kind organization seeking to foster the growth and awareness of the 2SLGBTQIA+ music community through outreach to the general public, education of queer youth, promotion of queer music, advocating for better and stronger representation to music and media outlets and supporting queer music artists through stories, awareness campaigns, programs, service, conversation and opportunity.
Historically, LGBTQ artists have hidden their sexuality from fans and record labels alike – fearful of sabotaging their careers, being rejected and not realizing musical success because of their sexual orientation. Queer music artists were regularly told not to come out, that the damage would be irreparable, and would make them “unmarketable”. This narrative has been a long standing one, but times are changing. More and more, LGBTQ artists are entering the music industry as their true authentic selves, even if being an "out" artist can sometimes mean they are ignored, passed over, or experience negativity or hostility.
Historically, LGBTQ artists have hidden their sexuality from fans and record labels alike – fearful of sabotaging their careers, being rejected and not realizing musical success because of their sexual orientation. Queer music artists were regularly told not to come out, that the damage would be irreparable, and would make them “unmarketable”. This narrative has been a long standing one, but times are changing. More and more, LGBTQ artists are entering the music industry as their true authentic selves, even if being an "out" artist can sometimes mean they are ignored, passed over, or experience negativity or hostility.
One of the apparel designs available in the Q Store
Enter the Q Review. I created the Q Review LGBTQ Music project in 2018 as a means to discover, to recognize, to support and spread awareness of queer artists and their music, both in Canada and around the world. My goal was simple - to celebrate the global LGBTQ music community and connect music lovers with amazing and authentic LGBTQ voices. And so, I quickly set out on my mission: to find the music of my community.
As an avid music lover and fan, I always wished I had grown up with music heroes I could personally identify with. Being an alternative rock fan, that’s a tall task even today. But I was curious to discover just how rich the LGBTQ music scene really was. When I first started my search, the usual genres were where I initially had the most success. Pop and dance music have always been a bit of a safety zone for queer artists to gravitate towards. But like every person, regardless of sexuality or gender expression, we are all different. And we all like different things. When it came to music, I couldn't allow myself to believe that Rap or Country didn’t have its LGBTQ side. There had to be more queer metal artists besides "Metal God" Rob Halford (Judas Priest). And so, the search started heating up as I really started to explore
As an avid music lover and fan, I always wished I had grown up with music heroes I could personally identify with. Being an alternative rock fan, that’s a tall task even today. But I was curious to discover just how rich the LGBTQ music scene really was. When I first started my search, the usual genres were where I initially had the most success. Pop and dance music have always been a bit of a safety zone for queer artists to gravitate towards. But like every person, regardless of sexuality or gender expression, we are all different. And we all like different things. When it came to music, I couldn't allow myself to believe that Rap or Country didn’t have its LGBTQ side. There had to be more queer metal artists besides "Metal God" Rob Halford (Judas Priest). And so, the search started heating up as I really started to explore
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Along the way, I didn't find just “some” artists. I found, and continue to find, thousands of artists. Not hiding in closets by any means, but also not being given significant opportunities to be heard. Pop artists, country artists, hip hop, EDM, alternative rock, singer/songwriters, there is no genre I could find that was without its’ queer artists. Now, I never thought for a moment I wouldn’t find queer artists populating every music genre. I just wasn't aware of how extensive their number. And how neglected they were as a community of artists.
For every heralded coming "out" story in popular music, there are hundreds of artists that were never "in". But we have only been introduced to a select few. Most people may be able to count the number of queer artists they know on one hand. But unfortunately, many from the LGBTQ community can't count much higher. My search revealed the real tragedy – that our own queer community doesn’t really know or appreciate its artists. We're much more likely to champion an Ariana Grande or Taylor Swift than a Siena Liggins or Gregory Dillon. If you are asking yourself “Who are they?”, therein lies the issue.
For every heralded coming "out" story in popular music, there are hundreds of artists that were never "in". But we have only been introduced to a select few. Most people may be able to count the number of queer artists they know on one hand. But unfortunately, many from the LGBTQ community can't count much higher. My search revealed the real tragedy – that our own queer community doesn’t really know or appreciate its artists. We're much more likely to champion an Ariana Grande or Taylor Swift than a Siena Liggins or Gregory Dillon. If you are asking yourself “Who are they?”, therein lies the issue.
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As a community, it’s vital for us to know and champion our artists. Understanding fully that no artist wants to be known more for their sexuality than their music, it is still an important part of our community identity and pride. It’s equally important to demonstrate to our youth that queer artists exist and that visibility is important. It fosters a connection, provides them with someone that they can relate to and see themselves in. It allows them to see queer identities represented in spaces where they haven’t been before, showing them that they too can achieve success. Queer youth need to know their dreams are achievable. Similarly, they also need heroes to carry them through difficult times and inspire them.
Since its beginning, Q Review has served as a voice for the independent LGBTQ artist, and a champion of their artistic creativity. We provide a platform for them to be heard and seen, a place they can share their stories and reach larger audiences. As an outlet committed to education, we also recognize the importance of representation and visibility of LGBTQ artists, especially for LGBTQ youth. As the only platform of its kind, the Q Review creates opportunities for the advancement and appreciation of LGBTQ music of all genres across the globe to be experienced, discovered and enjoyed.
We do so by providing LGBTQ dedicated services including:
- The Q Review LGBTQ Music Project website www.qreview.ca
- Social Media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @theQReviews
- The OUT LOUD! Q Review Queer Music Podcast
- Web interviews and feature articles on LGBTQ artists
- Q Tube the Q Review YouTube Channel
- The Q32 weekly LGBTQ Music Chart
- One Love Live! Virtual Music Festival
- The Q Review Spotify Playlists:
* New Q (weekly New Release LGBTQ Playlist)
* PRIDE Canada (Canadian dedicated Playlist of LGBTQ artists)
* PRIDE (a regular rotation of classic and new music for PRIDE month)
* New Queer Radio (a regular rotation of newly released music)
* The Great GSA Rainbow Playlist (new artist music for younger audiences to discover)
* The Q32 LGBTQ Music Chart (a weekly playlist of the music currently on the Q32)
As a community, it’s vital for us to know and champion our artists. Understanding fully that no artist wants to be known more for their sexuality than their music, it is still an important part of our community identity and pride. It’s equally important to demonstrate to our youth that queer artists exist and that visibility is important. It fosters a connection, provides them with someone that they can relate to and see themselves in. It allows them to see queer identities represented in spaces where they haven’t been before, showing them that they too can achieve success. Queer youth need to know their dreams are achievable. Similarly, they also need heroes to carry them through difficult times and inspire them.
Since its beginning, Q Review has served as a voice for the independent LGBTQ artist, and a champion of their artistic creativity. We provide a platform for them to be heard and seen, a place they can share their stories and reach larger audiences. As an outlet committed to education, we also recognize the importance of representation and visibility of LGBTQ artists, especially for LGBTQ youth. As the only platform of its kind, the Q Review creates opportunities for the advancement and appreciation of LGBTQ music of all genres across the globe to be experienced, discovered and enjoyed.
We do so by providing LGBTQ dedicated services including:
- The Q Review LGBTQ Music Project website www.qreview.ca
- Social Media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @theQReviews
- The OUT LOUD! Q Review Queer Music Podcast
- Web interviews and feature articles on LGBTQ artists
- Q Tube the Q Review YouTube Channel
- The Q32 weekly LGBTQ Music Chart
- One Love Live! Virtual Music Festival
- The Q Review Spotify Playlists:
* New Q (weekly New Release LGBTQ Playlist)
* PRIDE Canada (Canadian dedicated Playlist of LGBTQ artists)
* PRIDE (a regular rotation of classic and new music for PRIDE month)
* New Queer Radio (a regular rotation of newly released music)
* The Great GSA Rainbow Playlist (new artist music for younger audiences to discover)
* The Q32 LGBTQ Music Chart (a weekly playlist of the music currently on the Q32)
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The artists who performed in the first ever One Love Live! Music Festival
As we grow, we continue our search to uncover more artists and their stories, share their music and messages and introduce audiences everywhere to the world class music being made by the global LGBTQ music community. #QueerMusicKicksAss and it’s time the rest of the world experienced it.
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