Chappell Roan has announced The Midwest Princess Project to support trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities.
The Giver singer managed to raise a whopping $400,000 (£300,000) from her recent Visions Of Damsels and Other Dangerous Things pop up shows in the US to fund her new non-profit to provide “action, care and connection”.
Roan said: “I am so excited to announce The Midwest Princess Project! These funds will be donated to incredible organisations making a positive impact for trans youth in their communities.”
Further information on the initiative read: “At the centre of everything Chappell Roan does is her quest to bring queer joy to the world and give back to the community of fans who have lifted her up and inspired her along the way.
“With that, today she announces the launch of the The Midwest Princess Project, a new non-profit initiative led by Chappell Roan, that will support organisations that provide resources for trans youth and uplift LGBTQ+ communities through action, care and connection.”
It added: “From her earliest days on the road, Roan has been a fierce advocate for grass roots change and has encouraged fans to visit tables set up at her shows to learn more about mental health resources, LGBTQ+ access and rights, voter registration and community involvement in local and global aid.”
Roan wasn’t going to do a US tour until she was reminded of her purpose, to “bring queer people joy and tell them that it’s OK.”
Speaking candidly to fans at her show in Pasadena this month, she said: “I wasn’t gonna do a US tour until the very last minute, I decided to do one, and I’m so glad I did. It’s so fun. This job is so awesome. Thank you for making it awesome.
“Everything made sense this year: Why I do this. Last year, I was really questioning, ‘Why am I doing this to myself? I’m so sad. I feel so left out in public. I feel so awkward all the time.’ And I always felt like, ‘Why am I putting myself through this? If this feels so, if this is taking so much away from me, what is this for?’”
She continued: “And then I started doing shows again, and it all made sense that it was to literally bring queer people joy and tell them that it’s OK.
“There’s so many things in the world that are so ‘f*** you’ and like, then there is this. The only thing that matters anymore is joy to me. And protecting that, and peace and safety.
“So I hope you know that when you are here, you are safe, and I want you here, you can be whoever you are tonight.”
Chappell concluded: “You’re cherished for everything that you are. Even if you’re not queer, I hope you know that I include you. This isn’t just for the gays.
“Thank you for being here and supporting me and supporting each other. This is the biggest headline show I’ve ever had. So thank you.”