There’s an estimate from the University of Portsmouth that less than 10 per cent of DJs, and only five per cent of electronic music producers are women. Despite queer Black people pioneering house music, there’s now a running joke that every straight, creative guy that you see on Raya is probably a DJ (in some capacity) and dance festivals and events are being overrun with white men. The fact that only between 2 per cent to 5 per cent of producers are women is also exactly why LP Giobbi, an American DJ and the global music director at W Hotels, co-founded Femme House, a nonprofit fostering “more equitable opportunity for women and gender-expansive individuals” in music. 

Since launching in 2019, Femme House, with the continued support of W Hotels, has hosted production workshops, online courses, and scholarship programs for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators. With W Hotels, LP Giobbi has been consistently pushing the boundaries of how hospitality and music can intersect, launching a live performance series, W Presents, to bring a fresh lineup of electronic music to more than 20 destinations worldwide. Last week, during ADE, Femme House and Her Dancefloor presented a panel on taking tangible steps towards equity in dance music at W Amsterdam. Both LP Giobbi and Honeyluv, a Cleveland-born DJ, producer, and artist, were in attendance. We asked them both for their tips for on moving beyond performative action to help support your favourite queer and female DJs. Dance music lovers, fellow DJs, and music industry professionals (especially), this one’s for you. 

DON’T GATEKEEP YOUR CONNECTIONS 

LP Giobbi says that breaking into the world of DJing was a “challenge”. “I faced a lot of gatekeeping and doubt early on,” she says. “There were times when I wasn’t taken seriously, or when opportunities seemed only to be available to a very narrow set of artists.” What helped her break into the space, she says, was connecting with others who believed in a more inclusive future for dance music. This, of course, is something she’s worked to pass on with W Hotels, who not only book a diverse range of artists for shows but also support initiatives that provide education, mentorship, and the tools needed to break through barriers. “Take the time to share your knowledge, offer guidance, and open doors for those who might not have the same access to resources or networks,” she says. It’s not just about teaching technical skills – it’s about helping others navigate the industry, which can often feel exclusive.”

ENCOURAGE YOUR DANCE-MUSIC-LOVING FRIENDS 

HoneyLuv says it was her friends who “forced her” to try DJing after hearing some of her playlists. “I really did love the music and want to figure out how to get into the industry,” she says. “So when they told me to, I was like ‘okay, cool’,” she says. In 2020, after just leaving the military, she started putting herself out there. Still, she says she was usually the only Black woman in the lineups. Now, she had plans to throw her own events and encourage other women to become DJs. “We’re going to start throwing parties around different US cities next year, then we’ll go to Europe,” she says. “It’s basically me just inviting more of my friends who don’t know what house music is, and their friends as well, to bring all the communities together.” The lesson here is: never underestimate the power of friendship. 

LOOK OUT FOR PERFORMATIVE GESTURES

LP Giobbi says the world of dance music has come a long way since she first started. “When I began my career, the scene felt very homogenous, dominated by a few voices and perspectives,” she says. “But we still have a long road ahead.” As the movement grows, she says it’s important to ensure that opportunities being presented aren’t just symbolic. With this in mind, you can support your favourite DJs by supporting the festivals, events, and organisers who are delivering real support – whether it’s through headlining slots, fair representation in lineups, or access to platforms that can elevate underrepresented voices. “Going beyond performative action is about aligning your values with your everyday decisions and truly investing in change,” she says. “Music is deeply woven into the fabric of the W Hotels brand.”

BE VOCAL

If you’re already working behind the scenes in the dance music industry, it should (hopefully) go without saying that you should be platforming a diverse range of talent. For those attending the festivals, however, it’s worth remembering your voice and requests still have power. “ I think the most important thing to do is telling these promoters this is what you want to see,” says HoneyLuv. “I see it all the time on Twitter or Instagram, people being like ‘please can we see other DJs despite the ones you always have’? It’s just vocalising that.” If you have any specific DJs in mind, of course, throw their @ in the comments and feel free to spam the festivals and organisers with comments and emails until they listen. After all, that’s what the internet is all about. 

EXPAND YOUR OWN ELECTRONIC MUSIC TASTE

We get it. You like Snow Strippers, and you’ve seen Honey Dijon DJ once. But there are still plenty of exciting and emerging DJs for you to discover (and then comment their names on promoter's Instagram posts). “Be intentional about who you’re supporting and use your platform to elevate their voices,” says LP Giobbi. “It’s easy to get comfortable with familiar names, but real change happens when we actively seek out new, underrepresented talent and give them the spotlight they deserve.” This includes HoneyLuv herself – who happens to have shows in the US and the UK next month (with more events to come next year) – and W Hotels' ever-expanding W Presents lineup.