For the second time this year, Bandcamp is using its platform to donate to non-profit organizations as a protest of Donald Trump's policies. This Friday (Aug. 4), the company announced it will donate 100 percent of its cut of sales to the Transgender Law Center in response to Trump's tweets last week saying that transgender people will no longer be allowed to serve in the military.
In a blog post penned by the company's staff, the independent digital music service wrote, "We support our LGBT+ users and staff, and we stand against any person or group that would see them further marginalized. This includes the current U.S. administration, and its recent capricious declaration that transgender troops will no longer be able to serve in the military. That this announcement was motivated in part to help fund the border wall exposes it as part of the administration’s cynical, discriminatory agenda."
The Transgender Law Center, according to its web site, is an organization that works to change "law, policy and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically and free from discrimination, regardless of their gender identity or expression." It also outlines its values as justice, empowerment, self-determination, integrity and fierce compassion. In its statement, Bandcamp noted that TLC has worked to secure healthcare for veterans, defend imprisoned people from abuse while incarcerated, support immigrants and help youth, all on behalf of the trans community.
Back in February, following the announcement of Trump's controversial travel ban, which barred citizens from seven (later reduced to six) predominantly-Muslim countries entry into the United States, Bandcamp launched a similar initiative on behalf of the ACLU. Bandcamp users ultimately purchased over $1 million worth of music through the server on that day, which the company noted was 550 percent more than a typical Friday. Of that, Bandcamp donated its approximately 12 percent cut of transactions, while more than 400 artists and record labels donated their shares of sales that day, as well.
In their blog post, the Bandcamp staff also listed and linked to over a dozen transgender and gender non-conforming artists who use the service, writing, "We hope that as you listen to these albums, you’ll discover some great new artists from all walks of life, who share their experiences in song."
