TALKING LOUD
10 KERRANG!words:JAKE RICHARDSONPHOTO:IMANI GIVERTZ“I
chose to write about the epidemic of
homeless LGBTQ youth on our song
Visible Unseen because I’ve met so
many kids at our shows who’ve been
affected by this issue, and who’ve faced
discrimination and difficulty in coming
out to their families. I didn’t know much
about the statistics, but after doing some
research I learned that it’s a widespread
phenomenon in the United States; LGBTQ
youth in America are much more likely to
be homeless, victims of sexual assault and
estranged from their families. As a result,
the suicide rate is much higher, and these
kids often experience bullying, too.
“When I took a step back and thought
about what I’d witnessed in the music scene,
this was something I realised I hadn’t heard
people talking about. Seeing LGBTQ people
who believe in this band suffering from
homelessness naturally made me want to
write a song for them.
“A lot of the time, the reason people are
rejected by their families is due to ‘traditional’
views about sexuality, and religion is a part
of that. I’m a Christian, and I’m aware that
some Christians in the U.S. are responsible
for spreading dehumanising views on LGBTQ
people. I think that’s horrible; the message
of Jesus had more to do with loving and
accepting people than it did turning your back
on them. If you look at the teachings of Jesus
and consider the people that surrounded him,these were individuals who were broken and
hurting, people for whom life had gone the
wrong way. The whole ethos of Jesus is about
looking after those on the margins of society.
“As a straight dude in a metalcore band,
I wanted to try writing songs about people
who don’t look like us, and consider their
life experiences. I’m by no means claiming
to be an authority on this – I just want to
start a conversation. One of the best non-
profits that people can go to if they want
information or help relating to the problem
of homeless LGBTQ youth is True Colors
United [truecolorsunited.org]. Otherwise,
there are local shelters in most cities that
you can go to if you’re in need or would
like to volunteer your time. All human life
is precious, and it breaks my heart that
young lives are being lost because of
a lack of understanding.” K!SILENT PLANET SUPPORTNORTHLANE
ON TOUR LATER THIS YEAR – SEE THE
GIG GUIDE FOR INFORMATION“ALL HUMAN
LIFE IS
PRECIOUS”
GARRETT RUSSELLAs LGBTQ youth face a higher
chance of homelessness,
SILENT PLANET frontman
GARRETT RUSSELL believes
the conversation on what can
be done is only just starting...
WE MUST
PROTECT
LGBTQ
YOUTH