Canadian pop duo Tegan and Sara announced Monday they have set up a foundation to fight for the rights of LGBTQ girls and women.
“Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us,” the 36-year-old Quin twins explained on the foundation's website.
“Your personal histories of injustice and discrimination at home, school, work, and church have inspired us to use our public status to speak out about the struggles of the LGBTQ community.”
The Tegan and Sara Foundation’s mission is to “fight for economic justice, health, and representation for LGBTQ girls and women.”
The singers said their recent tour to promote the new album Love You to Death was “an important listening and learning tour for us.”
They explained: “Every day we read your letters. We met with local fans, youth activists, researchers, legislators, and nonprofits working tirelessly to promote LGBTQ equality. We were deeply inspired by their work.
“We learned that the lack of federal funding for LGBTQ services, limited training for doctors about the needs of their LGBTQ patients, and severe workplace discrimination are disproportionately affecting women. Most importantly, we learned that LGBTQ women and girls are feeling overwhelmingly rejected and left behind.”
The Quins said “given the state of politics in the United States,” it is important to fight for LGBTQ rights and equality.
“We will support the work of other organizations who have been fighting for LGBTQ and women's rights by raising funds and awareness for their initiatives,” they explained. “We will fight against the repressive legislation of the incoming Trump administration. We will fight against regressive homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic legislation. We will fight for economic, racial and gender justice.”