Grammy winner Fun named UN champions

Members of Fun., from left, Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost and Jack Antonoff. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Some nights may be for belting their tunes, but now they are playing the melody of advocacy.

In a statement from the United Nations Free and Equal, the organization’s human rights public information campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality, Grammy-award-winner Fun became the campaign’s newest equality champions.

Fun, an alternative rock band composed of frontman Nate Ruess, drummer Jack Antonoff, and guitarist Andrew Dost, join pop star Ricky Martin, South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Bollywood actress Celina Jaitly, American hip hop artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and Brazilian singer Daniel Mercury.

“We as musicians stand with the LGBT community in any way we can possibly,” Antonoff said in a video message. “Together we have the ability to make the world a more equal place.”

UN’s latest champions won two Grammys for their 2012 album “Some Nights,” including Best New Artist and Song of the Year for the five-time Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) platinum “We Are Young.”

“Fun is made up of three incredibly talented musicians who are also great advocates for the equality and human rights,” Charles Radcliffe, head of the global issues section of the UN human rights office, said.

In 2012, Fun partnered with designer Rachel Antonoff creating The Ally Coalition which raised awareness about LGBT equality and gives resources for people to take action.

“Human rights are universal, everyone, everywhere is entitled to the same rights that includes LGBT people,” Dost said.

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