THE TRANS CHARTER: BUILDING A SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY
The music industry is built on creativity, collaboration and the freedom to express who we are. But for many LGBTQ+ professionals particularly trans and gender-diverse people safety, visibility and equal opportunity are still not guaranteed.
The Trans Charter for Music & Entertainment, created by Saskhia Menendez, is a practical framework designed to help change that.
The Charter provides organisations, businesses, festivals, venues, labels, agencies and individuals with a clear roadmap for creating safer, more inclusive and more equitable working environments for trans and gender-diverse people across music and entertainment.
What is the Trans Charter?
The Trans Charter is not simply a statement of support.
It is a set of practical commitments and tools designed to help the music industry move from good intentions to meaningful action.
It focuses on key areas including:
- Inclusive hiring and recruitment — encouraging fair access to employment and opportunities.
- Safe and respectful workplaces — helping organisations create environments where trans and gender-diverse people can work without fear of discrimination or harassment.
- Fair pay and opportunity — promoting equality in access to work, progression and professional development.
- Education and awareness — providing practical guidance to help organisations and individuals better understand trans inclusion.
- Visibility and representation — supporting greater inclusion of trans and gender-diverse voices across the music and entertainment ecosystem.
- Data and policy guidance — helping organisations think responsibly about inclusion, policies and the collection and use of relevant data.
- Advocacy and accountability — encouraging organisations to take meaningful action and become active allies rather than simply expressing support.
Why does it matter?
Inclusion cannot stop at a diversity statement or a social media post.
It needs to be reflected in who gets hired, who gets opportunities, who feels safe backstage, who is represented on panels, who is listened to in boardrooms and who can build a sustainable career.
The Trans Charter gives the industry a starting point for having those conversations and, importantly, for turning them into action.
What happens at this session?
Join Saskhia Menendez for a short introduction to the Trans Charter and an open networking session bringing together artists, music professionals, organisations, policymakers, advocates and allies.
You can expect:
A Powerful Introduction
A focused 15-minute presentation introducing the Trans Charter, why it was created and how the industry can use it. Followed by a 45 min networking and drinks session to bring like minded creatives together.
Practical Resources
Take away concise guides and resources designed to help you start conversations and take action within your own organisation or community.
Sign the Charter
Scan the QR code, learn more about the commitments and sign the Charter if you or your organisation wants to support its vision.
Connect & Collaborate
Meet people from across the European and international music ecosystem who are interested in creating meaningful change.
Bring a Friend
Whether you are a CEO, artist, promoter, policymaker, student, freelancer, industry professional or simply an ally bring someone with you. Change happens faster when we build the network together.
Drinks, Bites & Conversation
A relaxed environment to meet new people, share experiences and have the conversations that can lead to real collaboration.
This is about action.
The Trans Charter is an invitation to the music industry to ask:
What can we do differently?
How can we make our workplaces safer?
How can we create genuine opportunities for trans and gender-diverse people?
And most importantly:
How do we turn inclusion from a statement into something people experience every day?
Join us at SHIP and be part of building a music industry where everyone has the opportunity to create, contribute, lead and thrive.
Let’s move from intention to action together.
