Gattinson To Headline Queer Youth of Faith Day
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On June 30th, Gattison, an LA music artist and founder of ALL IN, will headline for a free LGBT youth event happening in observance of Queer Youth of Faith Day (#QYFDAY).
Beloved Arise and ALL IN have partnered together to host an “All In” party to highlight the journeys of queer youth that belong to faith communities. Lily Clifford, a Beloved Arise youth ambassador, will deliver the keynote address which will be followed by a progressive Christian-style worship concert headlined by Gattison.
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The “All In” party will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Harmony Toluca Lake (4301 Cahuenga Blvd, Toluca Lake, CA 91602) and will be livestreamed. Attendees are invited to get to the church at 5:00 pm for a pre-show with a DJ on the church lawn. I’ve included a media advisory with additional information about the “All In” party below my signature.
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Gattison began playing the piano and singing at the young age of ten. He composed his first song at twelve—the musical talent surrounding his family being a major part of his overgrown musical roots. Nothing but strong branches when you grow up in a family where every member could either sing or jam out with an instrument.
· Gattison’s foundation begins with Aunt Dorothy Morrison, one of the original singers of the 1960’s hit “Oh Happy Day”. Uncle Jerry Combs signed to Warner Brothers Music while years later, cousin Levi Seacer Jr., kept the legacy going, playing guitar for the legendary Prince.
· Gattison began his musical journey in church— evident by his smooth, soulful croon. In his teenage years, he developed a love for EDM which gave birth to a silky sound grounded in funk and super charged by the undeniable energy and excitement of electronic music.
· Beloved Arise is leading the movement to fight for the lives of LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those who have been rejected by their faith communities. The organization’s long-term vision is to partner with other faith-based organizations to extend reach to queer youth from all faith traditions where LGBTQ+ inclusion falls short.
What is #QYFDAY?
· Queer Youth of Faith Day is a multi-faith celebration of LGBTQ+ youth.
· One in four LGBTQ+ youth say their faith is important to them.
· But sadly, in many faith communities, young believers are often pressured to choose between their faith and the freedom to live and love authentically.
· As part of Pride month, #QYFDAY highlights opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to express their identity and take pride in all of who they are, including their faith.
· It is also an opportunity for allies to show their love and support for LGBTQ+ youth of faith.
Beloved Arise to Host “All In” Party in Celebration of Queer Youth of Faith in Los Angeles on June 30
WHAT: Beloved Arise, the first national organization dedicated primarily to empowering youth to proudly embrace both their faith and queer identity, will host an “All In” party to highlight the journeys of queer youth that belong to faith communities. This free event is presented by Beloved Arise and ALL IN, and hosted by Gattison, the founder of ALL IN and an artist in Los Angeles. The multi-faith event, hosted on Queer Youth of Faith Day (#QYFDAY), will showcase the voices of LGBTQ+ youth from various faith traditions. After this multi-faith segment, guests are invited to a free progressive Christian-style worship concert.
WHEN: On Thursday, June 30, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm PST Beloved Arise will and ALL IN will co-host an “All In” party celebrating Queer Youth of Faith Day. At 5:00 pm PST, a pre-show will commence in front of the church on the lawn.
WHERE: This live event for #QYFDAY will be held at Harmony Toluca Lake (4301 Cahuenga Blvd, Toluca Lake, CA 91602) and streamed online.
RSVP for the “All In” party in Los Angeles.
“My name is Jacob, and my pronouns are he/him. I’m bisexual, and I am a religious Jew. I was born in Los Angeles but have spent most of my life in Northern Utah where I attend high school. I did not have much access to a Jewish community in Utah, so when it came time for my Bar Mitzvah, I had to drive two hours south to the nearest shul to study each week. During the pandemic, I began the process of becoming a Baal Teshuvah, a returnee to traditional Judaism, having been raised in a mostly secular home. On top of that, I am also really into fantasy, history, and music. I play a couple of fantasy LARPs (live action role playing) in Salt Lake City; I fence rapier in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), and I regularly attend my local Renaissance Faires. I also spend a lot of time going to punk, hardcore, and ska shows all over Northern Utah, and I am working on forming a streetpunk band. I really look forward to being able to connect with you all and share what I’ve learned as a Queer Jew. Hopefully, I can bring some fun and unique things to the table and grow with you!”
In addition, Beloved Arise is encouraging communities across the U.S. to host “All In” parties to raise awareness for and celebrate LGBTQ+ youth of faith. For those planning a party, Beloved Arise is excited to offer “All In” party kits to help with the festivities. Request a party kit
Queer Youth of Faith Day is a multi-faith celebration of LGBTQ+ youth of faith.
More than 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth identify with a religion. But sadly, these young believers are often pressured to choose between their faith and the freedom to live and love authentically.
As part of PRIDE month, Beloved Arise will celebrate and support LGBTQ+ youth from all faith traditions. Beloved Arise advocates that we ALL deserve the human right to believe, to belong, and to be loved.
In a world that tells them to change or hide in shame, we boldly say to queer youth: You are beautiful, beloved, and worth celebrating!
Beloved Arise is the only national organization dedicated to empowering youth to proudly embrace both their faith and their queer identity.
Launched on Valentine’s Day 2020, this labor of love started because a group of friends in Seattle, Washington, saw the shame and suffering of LGBTQ+ youth in their own congregation and in faith communities across the country. They heard heartbreaking stories from young believers rejected by those they loved and trusted most — parents, pastors, and teachers.
They discovered how queer youth of faith are among the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. According to The Trevor Project, religion is important to 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth, but they have been told they are unwelcome in God’s family. As a result, many stop engaging with their faith community. Others experience such despair and self-loathing that they lose their will to live. An estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth and young adults seriously consider suicide each year.
The founders of Beloved Arise wanted to send a message to these youth in Seattle and beyond: you are beloved just as you are. No caveats, no limits, no exceptions. They didn’t want young people to have to choose between what they believe and who they are or who they love.
Over the last two years, Beloved Arise has worked to bring healing and hope to queer youth who have experienced rejection and shame from their faith communities. As other organizations work to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in faith communities, we offer support and a sense of community to vulnerable youth until that reform happens.
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Visit www.qyfday.org for more information on the “All In” party and Queer Youth of Faith Day.
Visit www.belovedarise.org/ for more information on Beloved Arise.
