According to the Danish Musicians’ Union, sexism in the music industry is unfortunately a well-known challenge that the organization actively tries to address. This is highlighted in connection with DR’s new documentary “Sexism in the Music Industry,” where several participants step forward and share their experiences. Thomas Sandberg, chairman of the Danish Musicians’ Union, emphasizes that it is both brave and important that the participants dare to come forward. He points out that there is a significant culture of silence in the industry, and that many fear for their careers and possible reprisals by participating in such a documentary. Sandberg assures that the Danish Musicians’ Union will do everything they can to support the brave individuals who share their stories, in collaboration with other industry organizations.
Although he is not surprised by the revelations that come to light in the documentary, as the problem has been known for many years, he is still shaken by the extent of the experiences described. Recent studies document that a staggering 64 percent of women in the music industry have experienced boundary-crossing behavior. This is something that both the Danish Musicians’ Union and the other organizations in the industry are actively trying to address. The documentary, which is divided into two episodes, presents the stories of 13 participants about their experiences with sexism in the industry. These experiences range from comments about women’s appearances in concert reviews to concrete episodes of boundary-crossing behavior.