Gabrielle: "Sam Smith helps so many young gay people"

The team at vital LGBT organisation RUComingOut are raising money to produce their first book, which will be published and then sent into schools as a teachers’ resource and support tool for young people.

A huge part of this fundraising will be the Summer Party on Thursday July 23 at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, which promises to be a special night of entertainment. Hosted by Union J’s Jaymi Hensley and Radio 1’s Adele Roberts, and featuring a performance from X Factor’s Andrea Faustini, camp fun from Drag With No Name and Andrew Hayden-Smith spinning tunes, it’s sure to be a great night.

The highlight of the night has to be a special acoustic set from the legendary Gabrielle though, who’ll be churning out hits like When A Woman, Rise and Dreams. Certainly no stranger to Pride events across the country, she caught up with James Ingham to explain why RUComingOut is a cause close to her heart…

When did you agree to perform at and support RUComingOut’s event?

It’s a cause very close to my own heart. I know from people very close to me how hard it can be for people to come out, the pressures and consequences, how it can affect families and loved ones. I’m also very aware of people taking their own lives or trying to commit suicide because they are too scared to tell their families or have been disowned, not having anywhere or anyone to turn to and that’s why I think RUComingOut is such an amazing site. And I feel very honoured to be asked to help bring awareness to it so people know they aren’t alone.

Is it true Forget About the World was originally written about a lesbian friend of yours?

It certainly was. I don’t think many people know that to be honest. But yes, it was me telling my friend not to worry about what the world or other people said but to worry about the girl she loved. You didn’t really have many songs like that then.

How has the music industry’s attitude to LGBT issues changed over the course of your career?

Over time things have changed. Now you have Katy Perry singing about kissing girls and throwing it out there. Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful video had two guys kissing in it and you can see how things have slowly progressed over the 20 years I’ve been in the industry. Music now reflects how the world really is. The world isn’t full of just straight people. It’s such a multi-cultural world we live in and it’s nice that that is now reflected.

We have seen massive advances. Just think Elton John felt he had to marry a woman to try and cover up being gay. Now we have people like Sam Smith who are able to be open and honest and no one cares. People still love them and buy their records. Loving someone of the same sex is just as natural as the opposite sex and I think people have finally got their heads out of the sand and realised that. I hate the fact that people are still bullied and struggle with it but in general the world is much more accepting now, which is a great thing.

It’s so important to have someone like Sam Smith because he will help so many young, gay people just by being himself and singing. Sam told the world he was gay and the world told him back that they still love him. That message is so important to young kids who are scared to tell their parents.

How do you feel about being a gay icon?

I wish I was a gay icon. I don’t feel worthy. I think of Kylie and Liza Minnelli as gay icons but if you want to call me one I’ll claim it because I think that is so cool. If that is true then I’m super dooper chuffed!

Gabrielle2

Did you know one of your songs was played in the very first episode of Queer As Folk back in 1999?

No I didn’t! But I’m honoured. It was such an important show.

You are a regular at gay pride events. Why do you like performing at them so much?

I just love the crowd. You see so many amazing people who are so warm. All they care about is having a great time and every time I’m invited back I do it because I love it so much.

Why do you think songs like Dreams, Rise and Out Of Reach have connected with LGBT audiences?

When I write songs I write them from the heart and from my personal experiences. People come up to me and tell me my songs have given them hope and that’s the most amazing feeling. I’ve had people tell me they felt so alone, struggling to deal with their sexuality and my songs helped them through that time. It’s powerful to think I was struggling with my own emotions when I wrote some of these songs and was using it almost as therapy but at the same time they have helped someone else. To know my music has helped just one person through a difficult situation that is my work done. I never see my job as work, I love it. But it’s nice to know that when I am dead I have left my mark no matter how small on the world or on people’s lives. That’s enough for me.

What is it about the lyrics that connects do you think?

I think lyrically they are simple and people can relate to them and make them their own. I don’t think about politics, I just think about love, feelings and emotions and that’s something everyone can relate to.

Do you have a favourite?

That is such a horrible question! It is like asking me to choose a favourite child. Having said that I do have the odd favourite. I do love Dreams. A lot of the time when you’re 20 years into your career an artist would be sick of the song that launched them, but I still love it. You hardly ever see anyone leave my show early because you know they are waiting for Dreams, which is last, and I love that. I also love singing When A Woman because it gets the crowd going. And then there is Sunshine which I wrote when my son was born which I love. It still makes me feel happy when I sing it.

What is coming up for you?

I’m writing new material at the moment and I’m also looking to do an acoustic tour later on in the year. I want to perform some songs in the archives I haven’t had in my set for years as well as the favourites.

Words by JAMES INGHAM – @TheJamesIngham

Head to RUComingOut.com for more info and to buy tickets to the Summer Party.

Gabrielle: “Sam Smith helps so many young gay people”

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