LGBTQ+ artists are part of the fabric of Songwriter Sanctuary, a monthly concert series featuring local songwriters.
Lindsay White, the president of Songwriter Sanctuary, said it is really important to represent the queer community while booking. About one-third of the programming features LGBTQ+ artists.
“We don’t just try out a few queer performers every Pride season. It’s very much a part of who we book and our identity all year round,” White said.
Songwriter Sanctuary is the recipient of the Larry T. Baza Arts & Culture Award, one of the San Diego Pride Spirit of Stonewall Awards. The nonprofit will be celebrated at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally on July 17.
Songwriter Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that aims to make art more accessible in San Diego and support original songwriters rather than musicians who cover popular music. Performances are held in the Normal Heights United Church.
White said that the nonprofit aims to uplift musicians in the community while also paying them a fair wage. About 100 people attend every month for the events; each attendee is encouraged to donate at least $10 to the performers.
White wants to make sure that Songwriter Sanctuary isn’t just a gig for a musician, but also a resource hub.
“I’m just trying to bring folks into this community, so they know that they don’t have to navigate this industry or this town alone,” White said.
Musical artist Cedrice performs at a Songwriter Sanctuary concert. Songwriter Sanctuary ensures that artists are paid fairly for their performances. (Photo by Alfonso De Alba)Rachel Hall, a Songwriter Sanctuary board member, singer and producer, said it is a powerful community that helps artists make a living in San Diego.
“I think it’s really special to have a queer woman leading an organization that is a community driver,” Hall said.
Hall will also host the Pride Edition concert on Friday. The concert is offered in partnership with Raspberry Management, an artist collective that Hall helps run. The artists featured in the showcase are managed by Raspberry.
Saint Misty, who will be performing Friday, said that every artist she has met in San Diego has worked with Songwriter Sanctuary.
“It’s really cool to have this network of people,” Misty said.
Misty said that she appreciates Songwriter Sanctuary for having a Pride showcase that features local artists. She applied to perform at San Diego Pride Festival for the past two years, but didn’t get a response.
“It can be frustrating to be an actual local San Diego LGBTQ artist trying to get involved with Pride events that really don’t care about involving artists like that,” Misty said. “Obviously, Songwriter Sanctuary is not like that at all.”
Ben Grace, the founder of Songwriter Sanctuary, said that it is very important to them that the group focuses on uplifting marginalized voices who don’t get as many big opportunities.
“It was very important to me that the diversity of the community showed up there,” Grace said.
They also said that Normal Heights United has become a safe space for queer people.
“Queer folks don’t often want to step back into church, but I think that Normal Heights United really has established themselves as a place, a real sanctuary for LGBTQ folks,” Grace said.
Julia Sage plays the guitar at a Songwriter Sanctuary performance. The Normal Heights United Methodist Church offers their space as a venue for local musicians. (Photo by Rachel Hall)Molly Morgen, a minister at the Normal Heights United, worked closely with White on the Songwriter Sanctuary. She said she wasn’t surprised to hear that the group had won the arts and culture award.
“Lindsay works really hard to uplift queer artists as well as part of our events, so I think it’s well deserved,” Morgen said.
She said that the church and Songwriter Sanctuary have a good partnership.
“Our church is also very inclusive and affirming, so we work to uplift queer voices and include queer people as a part of our church as well,” Morgen said.
Giving local artists a space to play every month goes beyond appreciation for the arts. Morgen is pleased that every cent made from admissions is given back to them.
“I feel like all those different things really elevate them and give them opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise, which is really important to us and to Lindsay,” Morgen said.
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