| Rock Against Sexism | |
|---|---|
 Rock Against Sexism badge made by RAS Boston - 1980s | |
| Genre | Punk rock,protest art, etc. |
| Locations | UK,North America |
| Years active | 1978– |
Rock Against Sexism (RAS) was a political and cultural movement dedicated to promoting women in music,[1] and challengingsexism in therock music community,pop culture and in the world at large. It was primarily a part of thepunk rock music and arts scene.[2]
RAS began in theUK in 1978, and by the mid-1980s also had a presence inNorth America. It was strongly inspired and influenced byRock Against Racism and the two movements had many of the same participants.[3][4][5]
In the UK, it began amid controversy when rock andreggae shows hired bands that some participants in the scene felt weremisogynist, and amid growing complaints that women musicians were expected to "flaunt their bodies, both in performances and adverts".[4] This resulted in community discussions of sexism in music and art, which were not always taken seriously by the established music press.[6] However, prominent Rock Against Racism organizers saw RAS as a "sister-organisation" and the two groups supported each other.[4]
In the US, Rock Against Sexism, centered inBoston, was an activist group of "artists, musicians, and others who sought to fight sexism and heterosexism in rock culture by promoting women musicians and alternatives to mainstream rock music."[2][7] They sponsored local punk shows and radio shows, published azine, organized protests and marched together as a contingent in larger events such as Boston andNew York City gay pride.[7][8][9] The group hosted a monthly dance party at a local gay bar and benefits for theHIV/AIDS activist groupACT UP.[10]
Rock Against Sexism, in both the UK and US, promoted punk rock,performance art, art installations, and other community events by women and members of theLGBT community.[1][2] In the US, the Boston chapter held music workshops for women wanting to learn to play and start bands; "RAS prefigured theriot grrrl movement, giving women more access to punk subculture."[7] Both movements challengedheterosexism,homophobia,sexism andelitism, while confronting stereotypes of women and LGBT people.[2][11]
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