Looking Out Foundation announced today their Love Rising benefit concert aimed at supporting Tennessee's LGBTQIA+ population. The benefit will be donating all proceeds to the Tennessee Equality Project, inclusion tennessee, OUTMemphis, and The Tennessee Pride Chapter. The show will take place later this month in the Bridgestone Arena.
Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit 5/13/2022 at The Orion Amphitheater | Dylan Basden Photography
Billed a a "celebration of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," Alabama natives Jason Isbell and Brittany Howard were announced to perform, alongside Allison Russell, Amanda Shires, Brothers Osborne, Hozier, Jake Wesley Rogers, Joy Oladokun, Maren Morris, Mya Bryne, Sheryl Crow, the Rainbow Coalition Band, Yola, and special guests yet to be announced. The lineup features some of Nashville's most prominent LGBTQIA+ performers and allies, with music ranging from country to indie rock.
Brittany Howard 5/14/2022 at The Orion Amphitheater | Dylan Basden Photography
The concert comes in the wake of House Bill 1 and House Bill 9 being signed into law by Tennessee's governor Bill Lee. The bills prevent medically necessary care to transgender youth and bans drag shows in the state and have faced massive backlash. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Tennessee has enacted more anti-LGBTQ+ laws than any other state in the country.
Julien Baker 11/18/2022 at The Fox Theatre | Dylan Basden Photography
“SB3/HB9 and SB1/HB1 are clearly targeted attacks on Tennesseans who haven’t done anything wrong,” Isbell, a four-time Grammy Award winner, said. “These bills add up to an attempt to eradicate a valuable part of our community and force good people to live in fear. We can’t in good conscience just stand by and let that happen.”
“As a queer, intersectional artist and mother, raising my child in Nashville, it’s important to me to support these wonderful Tennessee LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations, working so hard to build bridges, reduce harm and promote equality for all Tennesseans,” Allison Russel said in a statement. “LGBTQIA+ contributions and creativity are foundational to every genre of modern song and arts performance. I think it speaks volumes that so many in our community are feeling the same call to support, celebrate and uplift!”
Yola 3/19/2022 at The Eastern | Dylan Basden Photography
In addition to the benefit concert, Looking Out Foundation is also matching donations of up to $100,000 towards their charity partners. If you wish to donate, details can be found here.
Tickets for the benefit go on sale March 8th, 2023 at 10:00am CT. Tickets can be found here.
