Bands unite to raise funds for an LGBTQ charity

Atlanta-based nonprofit Lost-n-Found Youth aims to help find displaced and homeless LGBTQ youth more permanent living situations, among other services. They have big fans — some so extreme the organization didn’t know about tonight’s fundraising event until Creative Loafing emailed them for an interview.

“I’ve done some checking around and no-one at Lost-n-Found seems to know much of anything about Up the LGBT Punx fundraiser at Mammal Gallery,” LnFY Communications Director Paul Skrbec wrote. “It is entirely possible that they intend to dedicate funds raised at the event to us, but we are not privy to the planning or details of the event.”

That’s exactly how Marietta musician Elliott Brabant went about assembling the philanthropic concert at DIY art space Mammal Gallery. “Punk is a culture of outcasts, and that’s exactly who LnFY seek to help,” Brabant, who plays experimental tunes under the name Blue Shirt, says. “The Gloryholes posted on a Facebook group that they were a queercore band looking for a show. Being an active member of both the LGBT community and the local punk scene, I saw this as my chance to finally merge these two passions. So I started booking it immediately.”

Gloryholes’ drummer Tri-pod Rod succinctly explains: “Somebody asked us to be on the bill … We get asked to play a lot of  shows because we are an all-gay punk band.”

Brabant enlisted other queer-front and LGBT ally acts to join including punk band New Clear Lawn Chairs, Shelby Miller (of “bubblegum rock” crew the Cherry Icees) and Decatur’s own garage rockers Man Up, Yancey.

“We received an email from the booker that included the words ‘LGBT,’ ‘fundraiser’ and ‘punk’ and we were like, ‘Yuuuup!’” Anna Ballard, lead singer and guitarist of Man Up, Yancey, says. “We’re a bunch of queers — well, half of us are and then the other half are two really cool straight cisgendered dudes.”

Ballard expands on the band’s tie to LnFY: “This really hits home for Man Up, Yancey because there were times when the queer members of our band couldn’t stay at their homes. Luckily, they had friends to help them out. However, not everyone has that.”

“Based on my time in the world of punk, a major part of the morale is aiding your fellow punks,” Brabant says. “So I wanted to make this a humanitarian effort as well.”

The not-for-profit sprouted from social activist group Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — specifically the Saint Lost and Found project. LnFY offers a host of services afflicted young people under age 26 including a 24/7 hotline (678-856-7825) — answering emails and texts, among phone calls, a small temporary housing facility and short-term host home program. They strive to outfit, feed ,and meet face-to-face with the group the charity serves. Volunteers run a bulk of the show.

LnFY opened a thrift store in Nov. 2013. It sells clothing, furniture, art, and other items with all proceeds going directly to support displaced queer young people.

Yancey’s Ballard echoed the sentiment. “As someone who has experienced this personally, an organization like this is lifesaving and should be supported,” she says. “Every little bit of support will help change someone’s life.”

UP THE LGBT PUNX FUNDRAISER!!!!! goes down tonight, 8 p.m., at Mammal Gallery. 91 Broad Street SW. 404-771-6912. www.mammalgallery.com. $6.