Being true to her heart self
For any international musician, the spotlight is where acceptance and recognition follow each other. However, for Jamaican born, Reggae-fusion singer-songwriter Diana King, coming out into the harsh gaze of a conservative society, as a member of the LGBT community, was a personal journey that had to begin from within.
In an exclusive interview with the Mirror Magazine on the sidelines of the recently concluded Colombo Music Festival, she tells us that coming out in a country such as Jamaica was tough, given the country’s hostility towards the LGBT community.
In fact, while growing up Diana says, she was a witness to a culture that vehemently shunned the gay community. She recalls the angry stares that she and her sisters would be subjected to while walking down the street, holding hands just because they didn’t look related.
Living in that fear, Diana tells us she almost felt that her sexuality was a secret she would take to her grave. But, “the older I got, this fear began to bother me. I had to be authentic,” she explains. At this point the only thing holding her back were the repercussions it would have on her kids, especially the youngest of her two older children.
“I wasn’t going to cause a problem for my kids because of my life.” That’s when Diana spoke to her eldest son, who was in his first year at college. “I asked him what do you think?” to which he replied “please mum, go for it. I love you.” It was he who gave her that final ounce of courage that she needed.
In June 2012, through a Facebook post Diana became one of the first Jamaican artists to come out. That same year she was also honoured for her bravery and was presented with the prestigious “Vanguard Award” at the Out Music Awards in Las Vegas
“I first did it for myself but then I realised that it wasn’t just for me. Rather it was for all of those who wrote to me daily.” After having come out though, Diana didn’t get the feedback she was expecting because she expected it to all be negative.
“I was ready to lose my career and everything else,” she recalls. But none of that happened. She did lose a few things, but she gained a lot more she says.
Earlier in January, this year (2018) Diana took that further step by marrying her longtime girlfriend, Mijanne Webster. Together the couple also adopted a baby a few months ago. Thus far Diana describes her journey as surreal. She never expected, after having grown up in her culture, to live the life that she always wanted to. This is no different to everyone else, who leads a life of fear.
In fact, Diana shares that coming out, could be dangerous for a lot of people and it was no different for her. “But in any way if you can be yourself, you should be yourself. Authenticity is very important for your personal growth.” She adds that this applies to anybody, “just know who you are and be that, because that is the only way you will lead a fulfilling life.”
As an international artist, Diana continues to use her platform to inspire and encourage both her fans and peers. Our conversation moves on to her own label ‘ThinkLikeAgirl Music Inc.’, which releases the music of any artist for free. At first ‘ThinkLikeAgirl Music Inc.’ was just for her, but after a while Diana realized that there was a need for other female artists, LGBT or any other artists who needed support, to be represented in the industry.
“I wanted my artists to have a place, where they wouldn’t have to worry about doing anything else other than being free to be creative,” says King.
She shares with them everything she has learnt in her 20 plus years in the industry. Her label lets her artists keep everything from their publishing rights to the music. “No disrespect to any other label, but I always thought that there was a fairer way to do it.”
Our conversation closes, as Diana prepares for her set that evening.
Pix by M.A Pushpakumara