The EDI taskforce is pleased to invite you to an online roundtable, “Amplifying voices: supporting LGBTQ+ musicians in the face of discrimination,” taking place on Thursday, 22nd May at 3pm CET / 2pm GMT.

Format: 60 Min Zoom session – Moderated discussion → Q&A → Collaborative next steps

Confidentiality: This is an invitation-only, off-the-record conversation. No recordings or public outputs will be made without the explicit consent of all participants.

Background & context: In recent months, a young artist preparing to take the stage at a high-profile international music competition has been subjected to widespread hate speech in parts of the European media, targeting his sexual orientation. As an artist signed to one of our member labels, this situation raises urgent questions about how the music industry can and should respond to discrimination.

Using this as a starting point – not a case study – we will explore the broader cultural and systemic challenges LGBTQ+ musicians face across Europe, and how our sector can move from reactive responses to proactive, sustainable strategies.

Purpose:
• Create a safe space for dialogue around the experiences of LGBTQ+ artists
• Reflect on the role of industry actors (labels, trade associations, institutions) in addressing discrimination
• Explore the emotional and professional toll of public identity and hate speech
• Collaborate on concrete strategies for creating inclusive and resilient support structures

Speakers:
• Fintan Warfield (LGBTQ+ Advocate, musician and former senator, Ireland)
• Lana Culig (Aquarius Records/RUNDA, Croatia)
• Eva Karman Reinhold (IMPALA EDI taskforce co-chair/chair at SOM)
• Ben Wynter (IMPALA EDI taskforce Co-chair, AIM UK and PowerUp)
• Moderator: Antonia Lines (Come Play With Me, UK)

RSVP:
Please register via email nprevost@impalamusic.org
We hope you can join us for this important discussion!

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA