Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge has written and recorded a new anthem entitled “Uprising of Love”, which has become the inspiration for a new coalition by the same name, Uprising of Love, a movement in support of the safety and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Russians. In advance of the songs official release in January 2014, Etheridge shares today a special remix of Uprising of Love as a sneak preview of her new track and asks you to join her in this international uprising of love by spreading the message of love through lyric.
“We have worked so hard to create change and equality for the LGBT community in the US and it’s shocking to see such backwards movement in Russia. This song is a direct call to action for people to get involved, become vocal, and connect directly with this serious issue. There is no time to waste and that’s why I chose to let this remix debut ahead of the January 2014 release of the original version,” explains Melissa Etheridge, co-founder of the Uprising of Love coalition. “I felt that we needed to go into the new year creating an international uprising of love to let the LGBT people of Russia know that they are not alone, and that the rest of the world is here to help.”
LISTEN to Bent Collective Radio Edit of Uprising of Love:
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The “Bent Collective Club Mix” of Uprising of Love was generously constructed by DJ Producers Bent Collective (Danny Verde and Steven Redant.) After playing in Russia and witnessing the harassment firsthand, both members connected with the message and jumped at the opportunity to support Melissa and the coalition to spread awareness. With the release of this special remix, the Uprising of Love coalition is hoping that the global dj and club community, will share and play the Bent Collective remix in clubs worldwide on NYE.
Steven Redant adds, “We have both played in Russia before the laws were put in place, and we have seen the progression of anti-LGBT legislation and violence grow. Like others, we are horrified to watch things continue to go in the wrong direction and doing this remix was an opportunity for Danny and myself to take action. We are honored to work with Melissa and the Uprising of Love coalition on this important campaign.”
Etheridge’s original track of Uprising of Love will be officially available on iTunes in January 2014, with ALL PROCEEDS going toward the Russia Freedom Fund, which is one of the only ways to make immediate and direct financial contributions to LGBT activists in Russia. The “Uprising of Love” coalition has partnered with the Russia Freedom Fund, a US tax-deductible vehicle that pays out 100% of all donations as grants, to foster an atmosphere where Russians feel bolstered to be themselves and speak up for this cause. The coalition was founded by Melissa Etheridge and her partner Linda Wallem, along with Dustin Lance Black, Bruce Cohen and Greg Propper. More than 50 celebrities have already aligned themselves with the cause such as, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, James Franco, Edward Norton, Jim Parsons, Julianne Moore, Chris Colfer, Sean Hayes, and many more.
WATCH Interview with Melissa Etheridge on CNN with an acoustic performance:
WATCH Melissa perform original version of Uprising of Love at coalition launch event:
About Uprising of Love:
Uprising of Love is a global movement in support of the safety and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) Russians. Inspired by the original song by Melissa Etheridge, Uprising of Love, this movement is supported by prominent individuals in entertainment, sports, business, and politics and a number of LGBTI and human rights organizations. Launched in December 2013, Uprising of Love strives to support the LGBTI community in Russia and raise awareness of this cause internationally. www.uprisingoflove.org
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