Festival producers worldwide are recognising that inclusion and safety are not just ideals but essential elements of a successful festival community. This is especially true in folk music festivals, where the genre’s roots celebrate personal expression and community storytelling. As folk legend Ani DiFranco famously noted, “Folk music is not an acoustic guitar — that’s not where the heart of it is… It’s an attitude, an awareness of one’s heritage, and it’s a community. It’s sub-corporate music that gives voice to different communities and their struggle.” (pridesource.com). In the spirit of that ethos, modern festival organisers are working to amplify queer voices and underheard stories on their stages and among their audiences.
From boutique folk gatherings in rural villages to massive international music festivals, ensuring LGBTQ+ inclusion and safety requires thoughtful planning and genuine commitment. This article draws on decades of festival production experience to offer practical advice – from booking queer artists and creating safe spaces, to training staff on pronouns, enforcing anti-harassment clearly, sharing community resources, and measuring a true sense of belonging. The goal is to help the next generation of festival producers carry forward an inclusive legacy, turning festivals into welcoming havens where everyone feels they belong.
Program Queer Artists and Host Safe Spaces
One of the most impactful ways to champion inclusion is through lineup programming. Booking queer artists – especially in genres like folk where marginalized voices have often been underrepresented – ensures that underheard stories are literally given the microphone. Featuring LGBTQ+ headliners and performers signals to attendees that everyone is welcome. Many folk festivals have embraced this by inviting renowned queer talent: for instance, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival has featured artists like the Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile (both openly queer folk/rock icons) alongside other legends (pridesource.com). These choices not only celebrate artistic diversity but also offer queer festival-goers role models on stage. As the founder of the UK’s new Flesh Queer Festival put it, festival organisers have a “responsibility towards new generations” – visibility of queer artists today inspires the next generation of talent and fans (notion.online). When audiences see themselves reflected in the performers, it creates a powerful sense of belonging.
In addition to the main stage, consider creating designated safe spaces on-site where LGBTQ+ attendees can feel particularly at home. This might be a lounge tent, a smaller “Pride” stage, or themed events during the festival. Major events have set inspiring examples: Glastonbury Festival in England hosts the famed NYC Downlow, a multi-room queer club venue celebrated as the festival’s own “queer utopia” amidst the larger event (www.thepinknews.com). What began as an underground after-hours spot has become a haven where LGBTQ+ festival fans party freely and authentically, with drag performances and voguing competitions as part of the experience. Even if your festival is smaller, you can designate a corner of the grounds as an LGBTQ+ friendly zone – perhaps with pride flags, benches, and a meet-up schedule for queer attendees and allies.
Crucially, “hosting safe spaces” also means fostering an overall atmosphere where queer people feel safe everywhere on your festival grounds. Some festivals are entirely born from this mission: in Ireland, the Faoin Tuath folk gathering was launched specifically to offer LGBTQ+ people a chance to connect with nature and learn skills in a “safe and affirming” rural environment (gcn.ie). At Denmark’s huge Roskilde Festival, organisers explicitly platform queer voices: in 2023 they invited a Georgian queer artist collective to throw a rave on a prime stage – a move that the collective said “means everything to be able to show our world to others” and gave them strength by being accepted at the festival (www.roskilde-festival.dk). The lesson is that whether through dedicated zones or inclusive programming, spotlighting queer artists and culture amplifies voices that attendees might not otherwise hear, and transforms festivals into more welcoming spaces for all. By thoughtfully curating performers and physical spaces, a festival sends a message loud and clear: you belong here.
Train Staff on Respect and Pronouns
A festival’s commitment to inclusion is only as strong as its staff and volunteers on the ground. Every team member – from the ticketing staff and security guards to stage crew and vendors – should be trained to treat all attendees with respect and understanding. That begins with education on LGBTQ+ identities and pronoun usage. Before the festival, conduct sensitivity training sessions that cover why using correct pronouns matters, how to ask someone their pronouns politely, and the importance of avoiding assumptions. In practice, something as simple as staff introducing themselves by name and pronoun (for example, “Hi, I’m Alex and I use they/them pronouns”) can signal to queer attendees that your team cares about inclusion. Likewise, encourage using gender-neutral language – for instance, saying “Welcome friends” or “Hello everyone” instead of “ladies and gentlemen” – to make all feel addressed.
Staff training checklist: Ensure your preparation includes:
– Pronoun and Naming Etiquette: Teach staff to never assume gender from appearance or names. They should politely ask or use neutral terms until given a pronoun. Provide quick reference guides or badges showing staff pronouns to set an example.
– Inclusive Language: Train staff to use inclusive greetings and avoid gendered terms when unnecessary. Emphasise phrasing that includes all attendees (e.g. saying “folks” or “everyone”).
– Respectful Customer Service: Role-play scenarios so staff know how to respond if an attendee corrects them on a pronoun or if they witness someone being disrespectful. The goal is to build confidence in handling these moments with empathy and professionalism.
– Diverse Team Representation: If possible, involve LGBTQ+ individuals in your staffing or training. A festival in the UK went as far as recruiting queer security and medical staff so that attendees could see themselves reflected in those roles (notion.online). Even if hiring specialists isn’t an option, inviting a local LGBTQ+ centre or advocacy group to help lead the training can provide valuable perspective.
By instilling these practices, festival organisers create an environment where staff set the tone for inclusivity. Attendees will notice if volunteers correct a misgendering or wear rainbow pins and pronoun badges – these small actions accumulate into a culture of respect. Remember, your team is the front line of your festival’s values. Equipping them with knowledge and clear expectations ensures that every guest, regardless of gender or sexuality, is greeted with the same warmth and dignity. When staff handle interactions inclusively, it encourages everyone present to do the same. This groundwork dramatically reduces the chance of hurtful incidents and helps all attendees – queer or otherwise – feel safe and respected throughout the event.
Enforce Anti-Harassment Visibly
Having a zero-tolerance anti-harassment policy is vital – but it must be more than fine print. Make it highly visible and actively enforced so that all attendees know your festival is a safe environment. Start by crafting a clear Code of Conduct that explicitly forbids harassment, discrimination, and hate speech. Publish this on your website, ticketing pages, and signage around the venue. For example, you might post signs at entrances and stages stating “Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated – report problems to staff immediately.” Seeing this messaging prominently reassures festival-goers (especially those from LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable communities) that the organisers have their back.
Next, ensure there are robust reporting channels and response procedures. Attendees should know exactly how to get help if they feel threatened or witness someone being harassed. Some festivals set up information booths or dedicated safety tents where attendees can speak to trained staff or volunteers about any issues. Others have phone hotlines or text services in the festival app for discreetly reporting incidents. The key is to advertise these options widely – in the programme, on posters, and through stage announcements. At Coachella (USA), organisers launched an initiative called Every One that included on-site tents staffed with counselors and roaming “Safety Ambassadors” in the crowd to respond to harassment or assault concerns (lamag.com). This kind of visible program shows attendees that reports will be taken seriously. Similarly, Scotland’s Tiree Music Festival explicitly urges attendees to speak up if “someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe” – they can report it to any team member or even confidentially via email, and the event will investigate immediately (tireemusicfestival.co.uk). Festival staff are empowered to take actions like ejecting offenders, underscoring that safety comes first (tireemusicfestival.co.uk).
To truly enforce anti-harassment, train your security and crew on how to intervene when they see problematic behaviour. They should be adept at defusing situations and know how to professionally remove individuals who violate the rules. Consider partnering with organizations that specialize in event safety or bystander intervention (many festivals collaborate with nonprofits focused on preventing sexual assault and hate violence). Encourage a culture of collective responsibility as well – for instance, some events promote the idea of attendees being active bystanders who look out for one another. A strong anti-harassment stance, backed by visible measures, creates a deterrent effect. People are less likely to engage in bad behaviour if they know they’re being watched and that consequences are real. More importantly, festival-goers from marginalized groups – including queer and trans people – will feel more at ease and able to enjoy the music and community when they see that the festival actively defends their right to be there safely. In short, don’t be shy about your harassment policy: broadcast it, enforce it, and make it part of the festival’s identity.
Share Community Resources On Site
Festivals can serve as more than entertainment – they’re also an opportunity to connect attendees with community support and resources. A truly inclusive folk festival will weave in services and information that help its queer attendees (and others) feel supported beyond the music. One approach is to invite local LGBTQ+ organizations to have a presence on-site. For example, a community Pride centre or LGBTQ+ youth group might host a booth where they distribute pamphlets about counselling, health clinics, support hotlines, or upcoming safe-social events in the region. This not only provides practical help to those who need it, but also shows that the festival actively cares about attendees’ well-being. If your festival has a newsletter or app, use it to highlight these resources and where to find them on the festival grounds.
Additionally, consider offering wellness services tailored for your audience. Many large events now collaborate with groups to provide mental health support or health services on-site. At the Flesh Queer Festival in the UK, organizers built a wellness tent staffed by a group called PsyCare (known for supporting mental health at events like Boomtown) so that anyone feeling overwhelmed could find a calm, supportive space (notion.online). They also partnered with an LGBTQ+ mental health organization to host a workshop on “radical self-care” during the festival (notion.online) – an educational session that likely gave attendees tools to take care of themselves and each other. In a folk festival context, you might host a morning discussion circle on inclusivity or have an acoustic jam session at a “healing tent” where people can de-stress. Some festivals even offer free on-site HIV testing or sexual health resources in partnership with health nonprofits, meeting community needs right at the venue.
Physical amenities can also make a big difference in inclusion. Ensure you have clearly marked gender-neutral restrooms or changing areas available – this spares trans and non-binary attendees the stress of picking a gendered bathroom. Progressive events have adopted this practice; for instance, the Brighton Festival in England explicitly provides gender-neutral facilities as part of its trans-inclusive approach (brightonfestival.org). Likewise, having a quiet room or “chill-out” tent can benefit neurodiverse folks or anyone who needs a break from crowds, reinforcing the message that all kinds of people are welcome.
Finally, don’t forget to promote these resources so attendees know about them. Include a section in the festival programme or map highlighting the “Community & Support” locations. Make occasional PA announcements like, “Visit the Rainbow Alliance tent by the main gate if you need any support or just a friendly chat.” When festival-goers see that your event cares for their whole selves – not just their ticket purchase – it builds tremendous goodwill and loyalty. Offering resources and safe havens onsite turns your festival into a mini-community that can have a lasting positive impact on individuals long after the music stops. It’s an embodiment of the folk spirit of community helping community, made real in modern inclusive practice.
Measure Belonging, Not Just Attendance
Festival producers often fixate on numbers – tickets sold, attendance tallies, social media hits. But when building an inclusive event, it’s equally important to measure how people felt at the festival. In other words, gauge the sense of belonging and safety, not just the headcount. This can be done in several ways. One is to collect feedback directly from attendees: for instance, send a post-festival survey asking questions like “Did you feel welcome at the festival?” or “Did you encounter any harassment or barriers to enjoying the event?” Keep the survey anonymous and explicitly invite LGBTQ+ and other minority attendees to share their experiences candidly. The insights may reveal areas to improve (or success stories to celebrate). You might find that, say, 95% of respondents felt the festival was a safe space, or conversely learn that some signage wasn’t clear enough. Use that data to drive changes for next year.
Another approach is to track diversity and inclusion metrics in your programming and operations. How many LGBTQ+ artists did you feature? Did your staff and volunteers include people of diverse genders and backgrounds? Some festivals set specific goals – for example, pledging a certain percentage of women and queer artists in the lineup – and then report on their progress. International initiatives like Keychange (which many European festivals joined to achieve 50/50 gender-balanced lineups) showcase how setting targets can move the needle. Even outside of formal pledges, transparency goes a long way. The team behind the UK’s Shambala Festival publishes an annual Diversity & Inclusion Report examining how well the event lived up to its aim that “everybody feel welcome, safe and able to enjoy … regardless of their gender identity, sexuality, race, ability or background” (www.shambalafestival.org). By articulating such goals and measuring against them, you hold yourself accountable to the values of inclusion.
Qualitative feedback matters too. Pay attention to the stories and interactions that happen at your festival. Did you receive thank-you emails from queer attendees who felt truly seen? Did an artist mention on stage how special it was to perform at such an open-hearted event? These anecdotes, while not numerical, are evidence of belonging. During staff debriefs, discuss these successes and any incidents; involve community partners in evaluating what worked and what can improve. Ultimately, making people feel they belong is a deeper success than any sales figure. A festival where a young transgender folk fan can dance freely without fear, or where a non-binary singer-songwriter gets a standing ovation from a diverse crowd – these are the triumphs you should strive to replicate and grow. When you measure and value these outcomes, you reinforce that festivals are about community and connection, not just commerce. Over time, a reputation for genuine inclusivity will set your festival apart, leading to organic growth as audiences return year after year for that welcoming atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Program diverse queer talent and safe spaces: Make your lineup and venues reflect inclusivity. Invite LGBTQ+ artists and provide dedicated safe zones (like queer-friendly tents or stages) to ensure representation and comfort.
- Train staff in respect and pronouns: Educate every crew member on using correct pronouns, inclusive language, and respectful behavior. A well-trained staff sets a welcoming tone and can gracefully handle any sensitive situations.
- Zero tolerance for harassment: Implement and publicize a strict anti-harassment policy. Use signs, safety teams, and quick response protocols so attendees know the festival is a harassment-free zone and help is always available.
- Provide on-site community support: Partner with local LGBTQ+ and wellness organizations to offer resources like info booths, counseling or chill-out spaces, gender-neutral facilities, and health services. Show attendees you care about their well-being.
- Measure inclusion, not just numbers: Go beyond attendance figures – seek feedback on how welcomed and safe people felt. Track diversity in your lineup and staff, and be transparent about progress. Use surveys and stories to continually improve that sense of belonging for all.
25th August 2025