Kat Graham Fights for LGBTQ+ Rights With New Album

Kat Graham is continuing to lift voices through her art as a singer, actress, and activist.

"I'm traveling all over the world. I'm focusing on an album that's about LGBTQ+ rights," Graham says.

Earlier this year, Graham partnered with GLAAD to announce her new album, Long Hot Summer, with an accompanying global Pride Tour. The star has been a member of GLAAD's Atlanta chapter since 2009 and a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.

"The proceeds, everything that comes from this project goes to [GLAAD]. We're like the gay government. That's what I call us. If you come for us, we're coming for you," Graham said.

Her tour schedule has taken her around the world with stops in Ibizia, Sydney, and London, with upcoming dates in Italy, Prague, London, and Serbia.

While she's performing on international stages, Graham is starring in a slew of new movies. Her latest release, Collide, casts the actress in a thrilling plot as she threatens everyone's life inside a restaurant.

"I'm always attracted to the underdogs. I was attracted to this film because I wanted to play a character who was seeking revenge and was basically put in a position where she had to fight for her life."

Before her mainstream success with The Vampire Diaries, the actress found a support system within the LGBTQ+ community. Now, Graham hopes to give back and show her appreciation in many of her dynamic projects.

"I like to focus aggressively on putting my energy where it's needed. I saw that as a window to be able to put my projects and my art and my lifeforce into giving to a community that has literally taken care of me. It was the only community that really accepted me before I had started TVD (The Vampire Diaries)."

From the stage to the screen, the star is hoping her acting roles and musical gifts can inspire her fans to live loud and proud.

"Hopefully with my work, it's moving the needle a little bit. I just need a little bit of movement, that's all. I hope [fans] see themselves in these characters. I hope they see themselves in these songs. I hope I just empower people to be their most truest self. Who they are matters and any discrimination that you faced was real and you deserve to stand up for yourself and what you believe in. Own who you are a thousand percent. That's the message that I hope people walk away from...a better understanding of who they are."

Collide is in limited cinemas now and Long Hot Summer is available now on all streaming services.

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