A note from our CEO:
We founded SocialQ because we had a lot to say – about the advertising industry, social media, and everything on our screens that affects our culture in real life.
You can’t expect a better outcome if you don’t proceed differently. SocialQ isn’t just an agency, it’s a platform that generates resonance amongst our talented team, with our clients, with audiences, and with anyone who cares to listen…
Which is why it seems more than appropriate for us to launch our blog, Q/A, during Pride – a time we need to resonate the most.
During the current times it’s more important than ever to reclaim our social cues – or Q’s as we call them – but to ask Q’s as well. We must question everything, especially ourselves.
We like to give people, and things in general, labels that define us as “other” rather than “unique”. But as one of our #PortraitsOfPride figures, Lena Waithe, said: “The things that make us different, those are our superpowers.”
My superpower is that I am an openly gay immigrant who has fought to belong, and found resonance – and my home – by being a leader of an incredibly passionate and talented team who is here to do and be better.
At SocialQ we dig deeper and go beyond making our logo in the traditional rainbow colors. Here are the LGBTQ+ activists who have paved the way, and inspire us to #MakeItResonate every day.
Proudly,
Rudy Balat
by Rudy Balat
A world-renowned singer and songwriter, and long-standing advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Over the course of her career she has actively contributed to LGBTQ+ causes, with a specific focus on homelessness amongst LGBTQ+ youth.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“I discovered Cyndi Lauper back in France as a kid through her songs ‘Time after Time’ and ‘True Colors’ which resonated with me when I needed it the most. She was one of the first artists to openly and directly advocate for the LGBTQ+ rights. She wrote one of her most notable songs, ‘True Colors,’ when she was saying goodbye to her best friend and roommate who was one of the first individuals to die of AIDS. She then dedicated the song to him during her first major performance on David Letterman, while wearing a rainbow garment as a sign of solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community. Since then she has never stopped fighting, producing the global smash Broadway hit ‘kinky boots’, an anthem for tolerance and inclusion.”
By Thomas Soares
Lena Waithe is a screenwriter, producer, and actor, best known for her work on Master of None, where in 2017 she became the first Black-American woman to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. She is also the creator of the Showtime series “The Chi.”
Lena has been vocal about her experiences as a Black Lesbian, and the difficulty behind owning her identity while trying to succeed in her career. In 2018, she made waves at the Met Gala by wearing a rainbow cape on the red carpet, publicly displaying her support for the LGBTQ+ community at one of the most photographed and highly publicized fashion events of the year.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“I think Lena is the perfect example of disruption purely based on existing, and championing her truth by fiercely owning her journey. She made history in 2017 as the first black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing, and used her acceptance speech to speak to her ‘LGBTQIA family,’ and bravely stated ‘the things that make us different, those are our superpowers.’
She takes every opportunity to live her superpower and share how it changes over time – which resonates with me on a very deep level. Most recently she showed up to the Met Gala in a suit championing the black drag queen community as the inventors of Camp, and giving credit to those in the community who have built this culture and sacrificed for it.
Lena has been open about her struggles in the spotlight, and how she is judged on her looks not just by the public, but also by the gay community. Her expression of the fears of being stereotyped as ‘too butch’ or being a ‘stud’ (basically being put in a box) is very real for a lot of people. But she proves that we all are so much more than any societal box, and understands that while stereotypes exist, it is up to us to break through and really own our superpowers. In her own words, she was stepping into herself, and continues to do so.”
By Margaret Cavaliere
Janelle Monáe is a singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and producer. A vocal supporter of social movements and causes, Monáe has used her career as a way to advocate for those denied a voice.
Her self-owned label, Wondaland Records, has been a powerhouse of innovative and unique music nurturing talent like Jidenna and St. Beauty. Her latest album, Dirty Computer, has been a love letter to the intersectional LGBTQ+ community, deeply inspired by her own public coming out as a pansexual. From the Met Gala to the stage, Janelle’s stylistic choices in dress have empowered a non-heteronormative and non-binary dialogue.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“Janelle Monáe is the epitome of intersectional activism, and one of the most important creative powerhouses we’ve witnessed in a while. She has never shied away from speaking her truth and empowering others, especially during the beginning of her career when ‘the future is female’ t-shirts didn’t exist yet. The first time I went to one of her concerts, I was taken over the by the incredible amount of love that she represented and shared with the audience. It’s the kind of moment that shakes you, moves you, and gives you hope. Janelle represents what this country – and world – needs right now; unshakeable hope, and unshakeable love.”
By Vinnie Spano
Martin Sorrondeguy is the frontman for the Hardcore bands Los Crudos, and Limp Wrist, as well as a photographer, documentary filmmaker, and DIY record label founder. Born in Uruguay and raised in Chicago, his work discusses his experiences as a Latinx, Gay man, as well as the experiences of and issues in those communities.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“Perhaps most well known for fronting the Queer Hardcore Punk band Limp Wrist, Martin Sorrondeguy is also an active Photographer, Documentary filmmaker, and founder of DIY record label ‘Lengua Armada Discos.’ Born in Uruguay, and raised in Chicago, his work discusses his identity as a Gay, Latinx man.
From 1991-98 he fronted ‘Los Crudos,’ a Latino hardcore band from Chicago, who’s music offers a leftist critique of issues that affect Latin America and the Latino community. During this time, Sorrondeguy came out as a gay man, and this identity has been strongly represented in his music. His next band Limp Wrist was aggressive, unapologetically queer, and was one of the first bands in their scene to speak about queer issues and identity so openly and directly.
I love Martin because he is so unapologetic about his identities, especially in a community that has been mostly dominated by straight white men. He is unapologetically queer, and performs half naked in harnesses and leather. He sings about serious issues like having to toughen up against homophobia, as well as about confronting ageism and body shaming in the queer community. He actively breaks boundaries and stereotypes, and challenges the public perception of the queer community as being monolithic.”
By Andrew Abel
Kyle Krieger is a social media influencer, celebrity, hairstylist, and sober lifestyle advocate. He has used his social media platforms as an openly gay man to generate a discourse around identifying as non-heteronormative, and has raised significant funds for AIDS/Lifecycle, a 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that supports The San Francisco AIDS Foundation and The Los Angeles LGBT Center.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“Kyle introduced me to the quote ‘Being popular on Instagram is like being rich in Monopoly money,’ – circa 2015.
Two of my favorite things are: Social media and The Queer Community, and both bring me A LOT of joy.
For a short period of time I fell into habits of comparing myself to others, making me feel like I didn’t belong in my own community. Kyle’s presence on social media has reminded me that it’s alright to not take things so seriously, and that I belong.
He’s empowered me to believe that I can use my platforms without any particular goal other than to share my story, and openly show how I support my community. But most of all, Kyle reminds me to have fun, and be whoever I want to be.”
By Tan Brown
Elton John is a singer, composer, and pianist, and “Rocketman.” He has sold over 250 million records, and produced the iconic Broadway show “Billy Elliot.” He is also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame recipient. After dealing with substance issues and grappling with his sexuality in the public eye, Elton has become a leading advocate for both sobriety and the LGBTQ+ community. After establishing the Elton John AIDS Foundation has has brought over $225 million to global AIDS relief.
WHY I’M PROUD:
“I still remember the first time I saw him on my television as a kid; I was both confused and amazed. I grew up in a conservative household, so seeing male musicians in earrings and sequined outfits was such an experience for me. These moments were some of my earliest introductions to queer culture, and looking back now were truly formative for me.
Elton’s song ‘I Want Love’ still leaves all the feels in my heart, especially with context to what we now know he was singing about. He’s a true pioneer for the queer community.”
