Equality

The UK's first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and people will soon open in King's Cross.

Queer Britain aim to open a free-to-visit museum featuring four galleries, a workshop, gift shop and education space to the public in spring.

Trustees said they were pleased to have a location steeped in queer history and easily accessible to "all the community".

"Queer Britain aims to tell our many diverse histories, and now we have a home to do that from," Anjum Mouj said.

The collective has an initial two-year lease on the building, owned by Art Fund. It replaces outgoing tenants The House of Illustration, which moves to a larger space.

Disappointment was "inevitable" when the English Touring Opera (ETO) diversified its orchestra, its management says.

The organisation has offered a belated response to criticism from the Musicians' Union (MU) over its decision to cut 13 of its long-contracted freelance musicians in September.

ETO says open auditions were held for the first time in many years because the orchestra was exclusively made up of people who played on previous seasons or were recommended by them.

"We also felt that this would help us to progress our ambitions in the fields of equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace," a statement released on Wednesday (December 8) reads.

44 musicians were auditioned out of 266 applicants and selections were "based solely on those musicians’ capabilities, on the grounds of excellence only".

"With so many high-quality players in the pool it was inevitable that some would be disappointed," ETO said.

It plans to repeat the process next summer: "In advance of that, we plan to consult widely with other performing companies, and relevant industry organisations, including the MU, so that we can provide further reassurance of equal and fair treatment."

Swansea’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery has become the UK’s first Art Gallery of Sanctuary.

The distinction is awarded by City of Sanctuary UK to community groups, private organisations and public sector services that demonstrate a special commitment to inclusivity.

The council-owned gallery offers weekly art sessions led by and for refugees and people seeking asylum in the local community.

Thanuja Hettiarachchi, Coordinator of Swansea City of Sanctuary’s 10th anniversary programme, said the Glynn Vivian does everything it can to include sanctuary seekers in all its activities.

City of Sanctuary UK Chief Officer Siân Summers-Rees added: “The Glynn Vivian reflects our concept of sanctuary in arts so well."

Stand and Be Counted was the UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary, with others including the Young Vic, Belgrade Theatre, and Leeds Playhouse following suit.

A "greater focus" outside London is needed to increase diversity in the music industry, UK Music says.

The association wants its 10-point plan for increasing diversity to have a greater impact beyond the capital.

A transparency review of the plan says more must be done to create safe spaces, as a “culture of apprehension” still exists around appropriate actions and cancel culture.

Other priorities include engaging with more communities who suffer disadvantage or discrimination and securing Government guidance on how to report someone’s ethnicity. 

The report also calls for more investment: “For there to be lasting change, there must be significant and consistent financial investment by music companies and organisations in processes and initiatives”.