Elton John Launches 'Speak Up Sing Out' Campaign to End LGBTQ+ Discrimination (Exclusive)
"Let's lead with acceptance and joy this Pride Month and encourage everyone to be who they are," the iconic singer says
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Elton John in London in May 2021Elton John is uplifting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community with his newest campaign.
The music icon, 77, exclusively announced the launch of his “Speak Up Sing Out” campaign to PEOPLE on Wednesday, May 29. The campaign aims to dismantle LGBTQ+ discrimination amid rising laws against the community in the U.S. and around the world, and it's kicking off its goals with a social media movement for Pride month.
The campaign supports The Rocket Fund initiative, launched by the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 2023 to tackle the stigma, and asks for individuals to share their renditions of the final verse of the singer’s iconic track “Your Song” while naming the person who supported them in their self-acceptance.
"Through The Rocket Fund, we've driven important policy changes around the world to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, because everyone deserves to be met with accessible, LGBTQ+ friendly HIV care and services,” John tells PEOPLE of the campaign.
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Elton John in Washington, DC in March 2024Related: Elton John Has a New Album Coming Soon, Claims Bernie Taupin: 'It's All Done and Recorded'
“We mustn’t let increasing discriminatory legislation taking place around the world hold us back, let’s lead with acceptance and joy this Pride Month and encourage everyone to be who they are and to love who they love without shame or fear,” he continues.
One lucky participant will also get to meet John, his husband and Rocket Fund co-chair, David Furnish, in New York City during Pride Month as a special thank you for joining the campaign.
“Think of the person who has fueled your journey to authenticity — a friend, a teacher, a loved one. Let's honor these special people in our lives and raise our voices together — I'll be listening for you to: Speak Up Sing Out!" adds John.
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David Furnish (left) and Elton John in London in November 2023Related: Everything You Need to Know About Pride Month
To be in with a chance of meeting the singer, participants must post a reel on Instagram of them singing a lyric from “Your Song” in replacement of the original lyrics, “I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind, that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”
They then must nominate the individual who has supported them by tagging the person in the caption with the hashtag: #SpeakUpSingOutGiveaway.
Lastly, participants must follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation Instagram page @ejaf.
“ ‘Speak Up Sing Out’ aims to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes who inspire us to embrace our true selves,” Furnish, 61, said.
“It's about recognizing and honoring the courage and support of those who empower us to stand tall and be authentic in a world too often marked by discrimination and stigma — Elton and I can’t wait to meet you and your guest during the most vibrant time of the year in New York, Pride Month!”
The new campaign supporting LGBQT+ people comes after 510 anti-LGBTQ+ laws against the community were introduced in the U.S. in 2023.
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Read the original article on People.
