By Lori Bosworth
Melissa Etheridge will be performing at the opening ceremonies of WorldPride 2014 in Toronto on June 20, 2014. WorldPride 2014 Toronto is an international celebration incorporating activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTQQ2SA* communities. WorldPride 2014 will highlight not only Canada’s progress in human rights, but Toronto’s diversity.
The Grammy Award winner recently released her anthem, “Uprising of Love” for love, peace and unity in support of the LGBTQ community in Russia. The new anthem spawned a celebrity coalition, Uprising of Love, with supporters including Madonna, Julianne Moore, Edward Norton, James Franco, Sean Hayes, George Takei, Wentworth Miller, Jim Parsons, Sigourney Weaver, Lily Tomliln, Cyndi Lauper, Chris Colfer, Sara Gilbert and Rob Reiner among others. The organization supports the safety and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Russians. One hundred percent of all proceeds from the song go toward the Russian Freedom Fund, making immediate and direct financial contributions to LGBT activists in Russia.
“The lyrics of ‘Uprising of Love’ came from such a personal and passionate spot in my soul and I’m more than excited to share this anthem with the world,” says Ms. Etheridge. “Love is intangible and unpredictable, but it’s the one feeling that is universally experienced and desired by all.”
Etheridge will be performing ten live dates in the U.S. in a stripped down setting, rotating between electric and acoustic guitar, piano, and harmonica. Look for a new album to be released by Etheridge in fall/winter 2014.
WorldPride 2014 Toronto is an international celebration taking place from June 20 – 29, 2014 that incorporates activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. WorldPride 2014 Toronto is presented by Pride Toronto, producer of Canada’s largest annual festival of LGBTTIQQ2SA culture and human rights, under license from InterPride.
