Karin Ann
Foreign artists have been raising the issue of homophobic exclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in Poland since Karin Ann’s performance on TVP in July 2021.
Karin Ann, a Slovakian singer who was 19 at the time, started the trend of foreign artists supporting the LGBTQ+ community live on public television. She began her performance on the program “Question for Breakfast” with a special message while wrapping herself in a rainbow flag; “I would like to dedicate this song to the LGBTQ community in Poland,” said Karin Ann. “I know you don’t have it easy here. You deserve love, you deserve to feel safe. I’m with you, I’m standing here with you, I love you.”
After twelve years of service to public television, the program’s publisher, Radoslaw Bielawski, was fired at the time for not removing the singer and instead directing the cameras to the guitarist. Following her performance, Karin Ann’s unexpected statement and rainbow flag received a lot of attention in Poland and around the world.
Worldwide Support
Since then, other international artists like Mel C, a former Spice Girls member, and The Black Eyed Peas have supported the LGBTQ+ community in Poland wholeheartedly.
The Black Eyed Peas left TVP with no choice when they arrived in Poland, and Melanie C demonstrated her support by canceling her scheduled concert. “Support from the stage for the LGBTQ+ community, or we are going home” was the American team’s ultimatum to the station owners. During the public television performance, the Black Eyed Peas lead singer wore a rainbow armband that was easy to spot. A total of several hundred publications have been published about the event worldwide as a result of the brave statements made by these artists.
The messages of “Solidarity with LGBT!” are becoming a huge trend on social media and TikTok as a result of these artists’ efforts to raise awareness. giving the LGBTQ+ people of Poland hope for the future.
“I’m glad that others joined my voice, together we have a chance to change things,” said Karin Ann.
Karin Ann’s Music
Karin Ann, who was named the first Slovakian female artist by the world’s largest music streaming service Spotify as part of its Spotify Equal program and was named Discovery of the Year at the music awards ebk in the Czech Republic, supported Imagine Dragons and My Chemical Romance last year and also performed at sold-out concerts of the British singer YUNGBLUD.
Karin Ann is currently pursuing her love of music and serving as an advocate for others through the global dissemination of her unique messages. She will release her new single “for a moment” on January 27, 2023. She collaborated with Mitch McCarthy, who has received two Grammy nominations and has worked with stars like Meghan Trainor or Olivia Rodrigo.