«Stronger Together» in support of LGBTI people living in fear in Chechnya
Gay men in Chechnya live in fear of persecution, violence, unlawful detention and torture. The charity 'Living Without Prejudice' (LWP) has been set up to bring awareness to their plight.
«Stronger Together» is its debut release and is a cover of the Mike Stock and Pete Waterman song made famous by Sybil in the early 1990s. Its contemporary theme of unity is particularly appropriate to the LGBTI community in this, the 50th anniversary of decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales.
Profits from the single will be allocated to ILGA-Europe (the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association; registered in Belgium) with the aim of helping (perceived) gay and bisexual men being persecuted, detained and tortured in Chechnya.
The single was recorded on 28 August in Manchester and 25 September in London, and performers on the recording include the original singer, Sybil, former X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, Angie Brown, Mary Kiani, Suzanna Dee, Soraya Vivian, Samantha Atkinson, Ross Alexander, New Dynamixx, Rob Sainsbury, Georgia Burgess, Bonita Delaney, Kyle Passmore, Karl William Lund, Seb Hayes and The Show Bears.
The vocal arrangement is by Terry Ronald. A video to accompany the single will be released to coincide with the release of the track.
ILGA-Europe’s Fundraising Manager, Anna Shepherd, said:
ILGA-Europe are raising money to directly support victims of human rights violations in Chechnya, with a focus on ensuring the safety and security of those fleeing the area middle to longer term. Specifically, to help resettle refugees from the crisis in safe countries and help them rebuild their lives. That’s why funds raised by ILGA- Europe are being spent on housing, food, legal support, language lessons, psychosocial support and other costs involved in the resettlement process. And the more money we raise, the more individuals we can help.
Living without Prejudice – «Stronger Together» is being released through Energise Records, in support of LGBTI people living in fear in Chechnya, on the 24th November 2017.