iHeartRadio and SMI Support LGBT+ Community

Written By

Liz Iversen

Published On

Thursday, Jul 09

June 2020 was a Pride Month unlike any other. Pride parades and celebrations were canceled or shifted online due to COVID-19, and nationwide protests against racism and police brutality led to a convergence of civil rights movements for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities.

A highlight of Pride 2020 was the virtual event, “Can’t Cancel Pride: A Covid-19 Relief Benefit for the LGBTQ+ Community,” sponsored by iHeartRadio and Procter & Gamble. The June 25th event raised visibility for the LGBTQ community and funds for organizations impacted by Covid-19. It was hosted by radio personality Elvis Duran and trans activist and actress Laverne Cox and featured celebrity appearances and performances by Billy Porter, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Melissa Etheridge, Big Freedia, Ricky Martin, and others. The event streamed on iHeartRadio’s app, Facebook and Instagram pages, PrideRadio.com and iHeartMedia stations in the U.S.

At Strategic Media, Inc., equality is central to our values, and CEO Jeff Small believes in supporting LGBT+ rights. Each year, he makes a donation to Equality Maine, an organization that has been working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Maine since 1984.

“Their services for youth seemed to serve a need that I felt would support teens who are at risk of many insecurities during a very vulnerable time in their lives,” Small said.

At SMI, we recognize the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities. We march with those who march for equality. We raise our voices with those who call out for justice and human rights.