MARINA sets up charity fund to support young queer people’s mental health
‘The MARINA Fund’ will raise funds for queer youth struggling with their mental health. (Getty)
'The MARINA Fund' will raise funds for queer youth struggling with their mental health. (Getty)
Pop music superstar and “Primadonna” singer MARINA has set up a fund to support young LGBTQ+ people who are struggling with their mental health.
In June, the 39-year-old singer-songwriter announced that she would be teaming up with music community non-profit PLUS1 to create The MARINA Fund, to raise funds for “community-led organisations that provide life-affirming services, mental health care, and humanitarian relief”.
In a post on Instagram on 27 August, PLUS1 confirmed that one of the organisations set to benefit from MARINA’s fundraising would be US-based LGBTQ+ mental health charity, The Trevor Project.
“The MARINA Fund is partnering with @trevorproject to ensure LGBTQ+ young people always have free, 24/7 crisis support, peer connection, and advocacy when they need it most,” the announcement reads.
It was also revealed that money raised via The MARINA Fund would be used to provide “urgent relief” and “long-term health, education, and economic support” for communities living in Palestine.
A banner on MARINA’s website reveals that “a portion of proceeds” from purchases of her branded merchandise would be donated to The MARINA Fund. A dollar from each ticket sale from her upcoming The Princess of Power Tour will also be donated to the fund.
MARINA, whose legal name is Marina Diamandis, has long been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
In June, she said that her recently-released sixth studio album Princess of Power is “for the gays”.
“You’re all here for a reason… to teach humanity,” she said in a message to her LGBTQ+ fans, via PRIDE.
“Gay people are evolved in ways that straight people aren’t. Your souls chose this path for whatever reason because you’re strong people. I’m continually inspired by this community.”
In June, the “Solitaire” singer joined Pedro Pascal and Ariana Grande in signing an open letter, organised by The Trevor Project, which called on Donald Trump’s administration to protect an estimated $50 million of federal funding which was used to fund specialised LGBTQ+ support services via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
However, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program was officially closed by the administration in July.
“It’s hard to find the words today,” The Trevor Project’s CEO Jaymes Black said at the time.
“Our country’s federal government — including the very agency in charge of protecting our mental health — cut a literal lifeline that has provided 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth with suicide prevention services. It is unfathomable.”
The Trevor Project will continue to run its free, confidential crisis services 24/7 for LGBTQ+ young people who are in need of urgent mental health support.
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact theNational Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
Readers affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans free on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
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