simon partridge - the vintage singer

What do you offer?

Gorgeous, timeless tunes from the 1920s, 30s and 40. Effortless, elegant sophistication with some of the most romantic songs ever written.

Why do you want to work with the LGBTQ+ community?

My honest answer is why would anybody NOT want to? I've always believed in equality. I'm lucky enough that the job I love to do is all about celebrating love and spreading joy and there can be no barriers to that. Music brings people together like no other force on earth and the songs I sing tell stories of love that belong to everyone regardless of where they come from, who they love or how they identify.

Allyship

I'm a white, straight, cis man who, after a pretty conservative schooling went to college and then university to study drama and had my eyes opened to the LGBTQ+ community by the friends I made there. There was never any question that these people were my equals and my teenage ideals of equality evolved into a wider understanding. Since then I've always tried to support LGBTQ+ colleagues personally and professionally. I've sung at LGBTQ+ weddings, signed petitions and attended Pride marches, but since lockdown forced me to reassess every aspect of my work I've realised that my support has been largely passive and that I need to do better. As my daughter put it, you have to BE an ally - it's a verb, not a noun. I'm committed to listening, learning and improving.

I'm conscious of pronouns and I list my own on my website, in my email signature and in social media bios (as I type this I realise they should also be on my business cards and flyers - always learning! - they'll be on the next print run). I don't use gendered terms on my website and photos from LGBTQ+ weddings are featured in the galleries. I also have a Statement of Equality and Inclusivity on my website which I revisit annually and amend if needed.