News / coronavirus
Hardship fund launched for LGBTQ+ performers
A fund has been set up to support LGBTQ+ performers in the Bristol and throughout the South West that have been financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic has been
Organised by the producers of SCRiTCH Cabaret, all money donated will go directly towards supporting performers.
SCRiTCH Cabaret, an open mic for LGBTQ+ performers of all background and levels of experience, has set up the fund after seeing the success of a similar project by London Bi Pandas.
is needed now More than ever
“SCRiTCH has always been designed as a way to showcase, support, and celebrate the local LGBTQIA+ community,” say Oliver Assets and Kurt Sovain, co-producers of the night. “Making a hardship fundraiser just felt like the next logical step to support our community in these uncertain times.”
Oliver Assets/SCRiTCH Cabaret
Oliver and Kurt, who live together in St Werburgh’s, started the Bristol and South West LGBTQIA+ Performer Covid-19 Hardship Fund in acknowledgement that marginalised people are always hit hardest by crises.
“Many LGBTQIA+ people do not have accepting families to fall back on for financial support or face other financial hardships such as work based discrimination,” say Oliver and Kurt.
“Many of our LGBTQIA+ community are also performers of colour, performers with disabilities, migrant and refugee performers, and transgender performers that face multiple marginalisation.
“Many performers depend on performing as a source of income, and with lockdown in effect, are struggling to make ends meet.”
The fund launched on May 3 and will close on May 30. If the response to the fund is positive, Oliver and Kurt will continue running the funds for the duration of lockdown.
People can donate to the fund at www.paypal.com/pools and share the event at www.facebook.com/events/s/bristol-and-south-west-lgbtqia
Those who want to apply for the fund should email scritchcabaret@gmail.com.There is no need to justify the need for funds.
Main photo: Maria Meco
Read more: Supporting LGBTQ+ refugees through the coronavirus
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
