Tegan and Sara announce new LGBTQ foundation for women and girls

Band members and sisters Tegan and Sara Quin announced a new project called the Tegan and Sara Foundation on Monday. Built on a “commitment to feminism and racial, social and gender justice,� the charity will champion equality for LGBTQ girls and women. In a letter on the foundation’s website, the indie-pop band outlined why it is so important and necessary.

“Since the beginning of our career, our LGBTQ fans have supported us in innumerable ways. Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us,� the duo said in the letter. “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 identical twins were inspired to create their organization during a fall tour for their new album, “Love You to Death.�

“We learned a great deal from you all, including much more about the needs of LGBTQ people in North America,� they wrote. “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 openly gay sisters are no strangers to activism. In 2013, the band, in collaboration with Coolhaus, made an ice cream sandwich in support of marriage equality called “Til Death Do Us Part.�. They were named outstanding music artist by GLAAD Media Awards in 2014, and they often speak out about inequalities in the LGBTQ community.

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