Sing Elton John’s “Your Song” to Fight LGBTQ Stigma and Raise HIV Funds [VIDEOS]

Sing out, Louise! Here’s a chance for you to belt out a verse of Elton John’s classic “Your Song” and raise funds to support LGBTQ and HIV causes—plus win a chance to meet the Rocket Man himself during Pride Month in New York City. What’s more, it’s an opportunity to praise a person who has supported you to be your most authentic self.

Enjoy the examples below:

The fundraising effort is part of the Pride campaign “Speak Up Sing Out” launched by the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) to fight LGBTQ stigma and discrimination and raise HIV funds. Participating is easy: Share an Instagram reel of yourself singing this verse from “Your Song”:

“I hope you don’t mind;  I hope you don’t mind

That I put down in words

How wonderful life is

While you’re in the world [name of the person who has championed you].”

Then tag that person in the caption along with the hashtag #SpeakUpSingOutGiveaway. (Be sure to follow @ejaf on Instagram and set your profile to “public.”) But don’t delay: The giveaway closes 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 18.

That’s it! For every post, $10 (up to $25,000) will be donated to EJAF, thanks to supporter Kevin Xu, according to an EJAF press release.

You’ll be sharing the virtual stage with belting luminaries such as Jewel, Kristin Chenoweth, Andrew Rannells, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Robin Arzón and Vanessa Williams—artists who have already lent their voices to the campaign. Watch them below:

The campaign supports EJAF’s The Rocket Fund, a $125 million initiative launched last year to fight rising LGBTQ discrimination and HIV rates in vulnerable communities.

“Living boldly and fearlessly is what I strive for every day, but I know firsthand the importance of having a support system that empowers you to do so—a privilege I’m immensely grateful for,” said John in a press statement. “This Pride Month, I extend a heartfelt invitation to stand with me and the Foundation to honor the champion in your life. Add your unique touch to one of my songs and spread waves of love and support throughout the LGBTQ+ community. As a special thank you, one participant and their guest will have the chance to join me and [my husband David Furnish] in New York City during Pride Month—an opportunity to celebrate love, acceptance, and all that makes us who we are!"

“It’s devastating to see that LGBTQ+ rights are threatened and being reversed in countries around the world,” added Donatella Versace, cochair of The Rocket Fund. “We must protect equal and fair treatment of the LGBTQ+ community and fight the harmful stigma that stands in the way of an equitable future. I am so proud to be a cochair of The Rocket Fund powered by the Elton John AIDS Foundation to end LGBTQ+ discrimination and am thrilled that we have raised $100 million out of our $125 million goal. This Pride Month, let’s champion self-expression and equity and celebrate love and acceptance, always.”

In other EJAF news, the foundation announced that all donations made to the Rocket Fund during Pride month will be matched up to $100,000, thanks to the generosity of Lynn S. Wyatt.

In related news, John and his AIDS foundation have recently supported the fight for a national PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis] Program to prevent HIV, and his 2024 Oscar party broke fundraising records by bringing in nearly $11 million. No wonder President Biden awarded John a National Humanities Medal for his work.

For more articles about the iconic rocker and EJAF, click #Elton John and #Elton John AIDS Foundation. You’ll find headlines such as “Elton John on Who Inspired Him to Get Sober and Fight AIDS [VIDEO].”

Read More About:

• #Elton John
• #Elton John AIDS Foundation
• #fundraiser
• #HIV
• #LGBTQ
• #stigma
• #Videos