In an extremely sad and regrettably not surprising development, a new study conducted and published by TuneCore and Believe, entitled Be the Change: Gender Equality Study, revealed that one-in-five music industry workers experience sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace, while also underscoring what appears to be a legitimate threat to the transgender community in particular, something that has to raise concern of fans everywhere as the situation develops.
The Be the Change study sample included 1,500 industry employees from a sprawling 109 countries and included all levels of position: content creators, artist managers, social media managers, and more. The split between men and women was 49 percent men, 45 percent women, while 6 percent of the participants identified as either non-binary or gender fluid. 20 percent were Gen Z, 49 percent were Millennial, 23 percent were Gen X, and 8 percent were from the Baby Boomer generation.
The one-in-five statistic the study provides equates to 300 people out of the 1,500 participants. But a deeper dive into the data shows an even further staggering situation: 34 percent of women polled experienced some form of sexual abuse or harassment at work—which is an insane amount of people. But the percentages shift dramatically higher when compared to non-binary (43 percent) and transgender (42 percent) individuals.
In addition to their key findings, additional evaluation revealed that over 50 percent of participants agreed that men are paid more than women and non-binary/gender expansive individuals. Also, an increase in mental health struggles since working in the music industry was reported by a sobering 75- to 90 percent of women, nonbinary, and transgender individuals.
One familiar participant—and all-around badass—Lzzy Hale of Halestorm released a statement in conjunction with the release of the Be The Change study, saying "I didn't get into the music business to be a spokesperson for women, or to fight for my right to be here. I got into this business because I wanted to create and perform music." But Hale soon realized persistent discrimination and abuse within the industry solely dictated by her gender would never her give her the option of not taking up the role of advocate.
"As a young teen starting out I was not warned, prepared or aware of the sexism, and inequality I would have to face simply because of my gender," Hale continued. "Looking back I am thankful for my naivety in the beginning of my journey. But that blissful ignorance soon faded and turned to defiance. Like a thousand tiny razor cuts, it eventually became a part of my life. Something I just had to 'deal with' every step of the way. I was left no choice but to take those scars and turn them into fuel for my fire to succeed. But I shouldn't have had to do that. I should've had the same thing all my male peers had. Freedom.
"It's inspiring to see work that's being done like the Be the Change study, especially seeing a finding like 66 percent of the music industry wants to see more women and gender expansive individuals in positions of power within the industry."
Hale concluded, saying that "For women and minorities, it is important that we talk about our battles in order to light a torch for the ones that follow us down this path. It is imperative that they know that the inequality we face is not normal, it is not 'just the way it is' and should not be tolerated. It's going to take all of us to stand firm against this inequity so that the next great female artists no longer have to carry this egregiously unnecessary burden."
You can download and read the complete Be the Change: Gender Equality Study here.
